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
During a typical night, a person goes through four stages of sleep: stage 1 (initially falling asleep), stage 2 (light sleep), stage 3 (deep sleep, or slow-wave sleep), and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, when the brain is particularly active.
—
Nick Blackmer, Verywell Health, 7 Nov. 2023
The Department of Defense wants to see if anyone out there can control rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.
—Tim Newcomb, Popular Mechanics, 14 Aug. 2023
Sleep research has since proven that lucid dreaming occurs exclusively during rapid eye movement or REM sleep.
—USA TODAY, 11 July 2023
The constant interruption makes if difficult to get enough deep sleep and progress onto the final stage, called rapid eye movement or REM sleep, where dreams occur.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 10 May 2023
Vivid dreams happen during the rapid eye movement phase of our sleep cycles.
—Elizabeth Gulino, refinery29.com, 14 Mar. 2022
For deep, rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, horses do lie down.
—Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 23 June 2023
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), sleep paralysis occurs during or while shifting out of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, a stage in which some muscles are temporarily paralyzed—also known as muscle atonia.
—Kayla Blanton, SELF, 21 June 2023
When a person’s alarm clock goes off in the morning, they may be woken up from rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, Dr. Kansagra said.
—Julia Landwehr, Health, 27 Apr. 2023
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Nick Blackmer, Verywell Health, 7 Nov. 2023
The Department of Defense wants to see if anyone out there can control rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.
—Tim Newcomb, Popular Mechanics, 14 Aug. 2023
Sleep research has since proven that lucid dreaming occurs exclusively during rapid eye movement or REM sleep.
—USA TODAY, 11 July 2023
The constant interruption makes if difficult to get enough deep sleep and progress onto the final stage, called rapid eye movement or REM sleep, where dreams occur.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 10 May 2023
Vivid dreams happen during the rapid eye movement phase of our sleep cycles.
—Elizabeth Gulino, refinery29.com, 14 Mar. 2022
For deep, rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, horses do lie down.
—Avery Hurt, Discover Magazine, 23 June 2023
According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH), sleep paralysis occurs during or while shifting out of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, a stage in which some muscles are temporarily paralyzed—also known as muscle atonia.
—Kayla Blanton, SELF, 21 June 2023
When a person’s alarm clock goes off in the morning, they may be woken up from rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, Dr. Kansagra said.
—Julia Landwehr, Health, 27 Apr. 2023
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'rapid eye movement.' 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
1900, in the meaning defined above
Time Traveler
The first known use of rapid eye movement was
in 1900
Dictionary Entries Near rapid eye movement
Cite this Entry
“Rapid eye movement.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rapid%20eye%20movement. Accessed 11 Dec. 2023.
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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
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