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

Synonyms

• sleeplessness
• wakefulness

Examples of insomnia in a Sentence

has suffered from insomnia virtually his entire life

Recent Examples on the Web

But at least three months of problems—including difficulty falling asleep, staying asleep, or waking early—is classified as insomnia. —Rachel Murphy, Verywell Health, 17 Nov. 2023

There is also potential in targeting specific circuits in the hypothalamus to stop other problems such as insomnia and addiction. —Popular Science, 26 Oct. 2023

People have reported relief from anxiety, chronic pain, and insomnia after using this product. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 20 Oct. 2023

First published in France in 2021, and now translated into English by Penny Hueston, Sleepless treats insomnia as a question with no answer, an itch with no salve. —Megan Garber, The Atlantic, 12 Oct. 2023

One 2023 study found that a week after transitioning from the time change, people reported more dissatisfaction with sleep and higher rates of insomnia. —Catherine Allen, NBC News, 4 Nov. 2023

When just sleep duration data was analyzed, women with persistent short sleep had marginally increased cardiovascular disease risk vs. moderate, or longer sleepers, however, overall data showed that women with both persistent insomnia and short sleep were at highest risk of heart disease. —Liz Seegert, Fortune Well, 5 Oct. 2023

Nicola says that studies have found that hot baths may also improve depressive symptoms, as cold showers have been proven to do, and can address insomnia and enhance sleep quality. —Audrey Noble, Vogue, 31 Oct. 2023

For sleep health, magnesium has actually been studied as a way to treat insomnia. —Amber Smith, Discover Magazine, 5 Oct. 2023

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Word History

Etymology

Latin, from insomnis sleepless, from in- + somnus sleep — more at somnolent

First Known Use

1739, in the meaning defined above

Kids 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