rapid eye movement

noun

: a rapid conjugate movement of the eyes associated especially with REM sleep

Examples of rapid eye movement in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Yet new research provides compelling evidence that fringed jumping spiders (Portia fimbriata) experience two distinct sleep states, including one that looks suspiciously like the rapid eye movement (REM) sleep associated with our own vivid dreams. — New Atlas, 2 Nov. 2026

Lewy body dementia symptoms tend to start with rapid eye movement sleep behavior disorder, such as screaming or kicking during sleep. — Iris Kwok, Los Angeles Times, 30 Oct. 2026

The name draws on rapid eye movement, the stage of sleep associated with vivid dreams. — Tianwei Zhang, Footwear News, 25 Oct. 2026

Greater amounts of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep were associated with lower risks of 83 diseases, including dementia, Parkinson’s disease and heart failure, new research has shown. — Melissa Rudy, FOXNews.com, 9 Oct. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1900, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for rapid eye movement

• improvement

Kids Definition

rapid eye movement

noun

: rapid movement of the eyes which occurs during the dreaming period of sleep

Medical Definition

rapid eye movement

noun

rap·​id eye movement ˈrap-əd- 

: a rapid conjugate movement of the eyes associated especially with REM sleep

called also REM