insomnia
noun
in·som·nia
in-ˈsäm-nē-ə 
: prolonged and usually abnormal inability to get enough sleep especially due to trouble falling asleep or staying asleep
chronic insomnia
Insomnia is a patient-reported problem characterized by difficulty falling asleep or difficulty maintaining sleep; ie, frequent awakenings, difficulty returning to sleep after awakenings, or awakening too early with inability to return to sleep.—
Daniel J. Buysse
Daniel J. BuysseExamples of insomnia in a Sentence
has suffered from insomnia virtually his entire life
Recent Examples on the Web
Such symptoms can include irritability, anxiety, mood swings and insomnia.
—Daryl Austin, USA Today, 23 June 2026
My insomnia put me right in line with 50 million other American adults who suffer occasional or chronic sleep problems.
—Literary Hub, 17 June 2026
Acute insomnia may be self-limited and the stressor may only be temporary.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2026
Those symptoms include insomnia, decreased appetite, substance use, GI distress, and frequent headaches.
—Heather Grossmann, Parents, 16 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for insomnia
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Daryl Austin, USA Today, 23 June 2026
My insomnia put me right in line with 50 million other American adults who suffer occasional or chronic sleep problems.
—Literary Hub, 17 June 2026
Acute insomnia may be self-limited and the stressor may only be temporary.
—Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 16 June 2026
Those symptoms include insomnia, decreased appetite, substance use, GI distress, and frequent headaches.
—Heather Grossmann, Parents, 16 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for insomnia
Cite this Entry
“Insomnia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insomnia. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
insomnia
noun
in·som·nia
in-ˈsäm-nē-ə
: prolonged inability to sleep
Medical Definition
insomnia
noun
in·som·nia
in-ˈsäm-nē-ə
: prolonged and usually abnormal inability to obtain adequate sleep especially due to difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
called also agrypnia
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