jet lag

noun

: a condition that is characterized by various psychological and physiological effects (such as fatigue and irritability), occurs following long flight through several time zones, and probably results from disruption of circadian rhythms in the human body

Temporary fatigue, drowsiness, and loss of concentration are typical symptoms of isolated bouts of jet lag …

—Jessa Netting

jet-lagged

ˈjet-ˌlagd 

adjective

Examples of jet lag in a Sentence

I had bad jet lag after that last trip overseas.

Recent Examples on the Web

For anyone traveling long distances to reach a trailhead, extra days on either side help with jet lag and, on higher routes, acclimatization. — Ashley Lynch, Charlotte Observer, 23 July 2026

Social jet lag and its negative health effects would become a thing of the past. — Steve H. Hanke, Fortune, 18 July 2026

Over the past few decades, numerous studies have linked social jet lag to worse health conditions, such as shorter sleep, type 2 diabetes, metabolic disease, obesity and cardiovascular disease. — Claire Maldarelli, Scientific American, 17 July 2026

That said, traveling across more than eight time zones can get trickier since the body doesn’t know which way to adjust, most commonly mixing up dawn and dusk, which can lead to even longer jet lag. — Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 15 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1965, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for jet lag

• airbag
• handbag
• ragtag
• sandbag
• ag
• bag
• brag
• dag
• drag
• flag
• gag
• hag

Kids Definition

jet lag

noun

: a condition that is marked by physical and mental symptoms (as tiredness and bad temper) and occurs following a long flight through several time zones

Medical Definition

jet lag

noun

ˈjet-ˌlag 

: a condition that is characterized by various psychological and physiological effects (as fatigue and irritability), occurs following long flight through several time zones, and probably results from disruption of circadian rhythms in the human body

called also jet fatigue

jet-lagged adjective