sleep

1 of 2

noun

ˈslēp 

1

: the natural, easily reversible periodic state of many living things that is marked by the absence of wakefulness and by the loss of consciousness of one's surroundings, is accompanied by a typical body posture (such as lying down with the eyes closed), the occurrence of dreaming, and changes in brain activity and physiological functioning, is made up of cycles of non-REM sleep and REM sleep, and is usually considered essential to the restoration and recovery of vital bodily and mental functions

2

: a state resembling sleep: such as

a

: a state of torpid inactivity

b

: death

put a pet cat to sleep

also : trance, coma

c

: the closing of leaves or petals especially at night

d

: a state marked by a diminution of feeling followed by tingling

my foot's gone to sleep

e

: the state of an animal during hibernation

3

a

: a period spent sleeping

b

: night

c

: a day's journey

4

: crusty matter present in the corner of an eye upon awakening

sleeplike

ˈslēp-ˌlīk 

adjective

sleep

2 of 2

verb

slept ˈslept  ; sleeping; sleeps

intransitive verb

1

: to rest in a state of sleep

2

: to be in a state (as of quiescence or death) resembling sleep

3

: to have sexual relations

—usually used with with

was sleeping with a coworker

see also sleep together

transitive verb

1

: to be slumbering in

slept the sleep of the dead

2

: to get rid of or spend in or by sleep

sleep away the hours

sleep off a headache

3

: to provide sleeping accommodations for

the boat sleeps six

Synonyms

Noun

• bed
• catnapping
• dozing
• napping
• repose
• rest
• resting
• shut-eye
• slumber
• slumbering
• snoozing
• z's
• zs

Verb

• catnap
• doze
• nap
• rest
• slumber
• snooze

Examples of sleep in a Sentence

Noun

I just need to get some sleep.

How much sleep did you get last night?

Her roommate talks in her sleep.

The noise woke her from a deep sleep.

He woke up and rubbed the sleep out of his eyes.

Verb

I couldn't sleep last night. I was awake all night long.

I usually try to sleep for at least eight hours every night.

Did you sleep soundly last night?

We were sleeping peacefully when a sudden loud noise woke us up.

I can never sleep on airplanes.

The tent sleeps five adults.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The index is a measure used to assess the severity of sleep apnea by recording the number of times a person’s breathing shows a restricted or complete block of airflow per hour of sleep. —TIME, 17 Apr. 2024

Lack of sleep can lead to mistakes at work and is the cause of many on-the-job injuries each year. —Trey Williams, Fortune, 17 Apr. 2024

Chris Rhoden's older son, Frankie Rhoden, was shot in his sleep at the trailer home next door, along with his fiancée Hannah Hazel Gilley, sleeping beside him. —The Enquirer, 15 Apr. 2024

The researchers found that people who worked out at 7 a.m. went to sleep earlier, spent more time in deep sleep, and woke up fewer times throughout the night than others.1 May Lower Blood Pressure Exercising in the morning may control blood pressure. —Gabrielle Kassel, Health, 14 Apr. 2024

Conversely, Magnesium plays a crucial role as a mineral involved in more than three hundred biochemical reactions within the body; among them are neurotransmitter functions related to restful sleep. —Sponsored Content, The Mercury News, 12 Apr. 2024

A lot of motherhood is late nights and a lack of sleep. —India Espy-Jones, Essence, 11 Apr. 2024

The inventor of the lightbulb (insert asterisk) had the bright idea that sleep was counter-productive, and so preferred to take periodic naps throughout the day and night. —San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Apr. 2024

All that was left was a very late-night dinner with members of the production crew, a good night’s sleep and packing in the morning. —Fred Bronson, Billboard, 5 Apr. 2024

Verb

Our writers and editors eat, sleep, and breathe the outdoors, and that passion comes through in our product reviews. —Shaye Baker, Field & Stream, 17 Apr. 2024

Even the family cat slept curled, tightly but voluntarily, inside a beaker in the lab, and Naomi’s dollhouse was decorated in part by famous scientists—including Nobel Prize–winning physicist Niels Bohr, who brought Naomi a little toy jug for her miniature estate. —Rachel Lance, WIRED, 16 Apr. 2024

The disease can severely impact everyday functions such a sleeping, bathing, and walking, and is known to result high rates of depression and anxiety. —Sacramento Bee, 16 Apr. 2024

The husband slept, the wife lay awake listening to the husband’s heavy breathing. —Joyce Carol Oates, The New Yorker, 15 Apr. 2024

Nocturnal tornadoes are difficult to spot in the darkness and those sleeping may not be aware danger is near. —Mary Gilbert, CNN, 15 Apr. 2024

Speaking of not sleeping, N.Y.C.’s Soho district is filled with world-class shopping, culture, and entertainment options that keep you in tune with the latest. —Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 6 Apr. 2024

The city that never sleeps, New York, has lost 13% of its 24-hour restaurants. —Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN, 6 Apr. 2024

A lot of people sleep on what Dawkins has been doing. —Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 5 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English slepe, from Old English slǣp; akin to Old High German slāf sleep and perhaps to Latin labi to slip, slide

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing sleep

• a good night's sleep
• anti-sleep
• die in one's sleep
• drifted off to sleep
• get to sleep
• got back to sleep
• go to sleep
• in one's sleep
• lose sleep over
• non-REM sleep
• not get a wink of sleep
• not sleep a wink
• NREM sleep
• paradoxical sleep
• pre-sleep
• put to sleep
• rapid eye movement sleep
• REM sleep
• sleep apnea
• sleep around
• sleep a wink
• sleep-deprived
• sleep disorder
• sleep in
• sleep it off
• sleep like a baby/log
• sleep off
• sleep on it
• sleep out
• sleep through
• sleep tight
• sleep together
• sleep with
• slow-wave sleep
• to sleep

Kids Definition

sleep

1 of 2 noun

ˈslēp 

1

: the natural periodic loss of consciousness during which the powers of the body are restored

2

: a state resembling sleep: as

a

: a state of inactivity (as hibernation) like sleep

b

: death sense 4

put my pet cat to sleep

also : coma entry 1, trance

c

: a state marked by loss of feeling followed by tingling

my foot's gone to sleep

sleeplike

ˈslē-ˌplīk 

adjective

sleep

2 of 2 verb

slept ˈslept  ; sleeping

1

: to rest or be in a state of sleep

2

: to get rid of or spend in or by sleep

slept off his headache

3

: to provide sleeping space for

the boat sleeps six

4

: to have sexual intercourse

Medical Definition

sleep

1 of 2 noun

ˈslēp 

1

: the natural, easily reversible, periodic state of many living things that is marked by the absence of wakefulness and by the loss of consciousness of one's surroundings, is accompanied by a typical body posture (as lying down with the eyes closed), the occurrence of dreaming, and changes in brain activity and physiological functioning, is made up of cycles of non-REM sleep and REM sleep, and is usually considered essential to the restoration and recovery of vital bodily and mental functions

2

: a state resembling sleep: as

a

: death sense 1

put a pet cat to sleep

b

: a state marked by a diminution of feeling followed by tingling

her foot went to sleep

sleep

2 of 2 intransitive verb

slept ˈslept  ; sleeping

: to rest in a state of sleep