catnap

noun

cat·​nap ˈkat-ˌnap How to pronounce catnap (audio)
: a very short light nap
catnap intransitive verb

Examples of catnap in a Sentence

a catnap left me refreshed enough to face the rest of the day
Recent Examples on the Web These covert catnaps were less about laziness than productivity. Matt Fuchs, TIME, 11 June 2024 Distraught Ministry of Health staff members worked relentlessly, took catnaps in their offices, and attended funerals. Laurie Garrett, Foreign Affairs, 18 Aug. 2015 Putt-putting at low altitudes, taking catnaps to steal sleep, nearly slamming into a mountain in Africa and almost ditching in the Pacific Ocean, the Voyager and its crew limped home on fumes from empty fuel tanks two days before Christmas. Trip Gabriel, New York Times, 8 May 2024 And your own cat is to thank for the inspiration behind Godzilla’s catnaps in the Colosseum? Brian Davids, The Hollywood Reporter, 26 Mar. 2024 See all Example Sentences for catnap 

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'catnap.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1823, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of catnap was in 1823

Dictionary Entries Near catnap

Cite this Entry

“Catnap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/catnap. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

catnap

noun
cat·​nap -ˌnap How to pronounce catnap (audio)
: a short light nap
catnap verb

More from Merriam-Webster on catnap

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!