rapid eye movement

noun

Definition of rapid eye movement

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

See rapid eye movement defined for kids

Recent Examples of rapid eye movement from the Web

Nightmares occur during rapid eye movement (REM) sleep.

— nitun verma, SELF, "What's the Difference Between Nightmares and Sleep Terrors?," 3 Nov. 2017
Other theories that have been put forth to explain the perception of motion, include the idea that tiny rapid eye movements cause so many slightly different images to be passed to the visual cortex at once that the brain gets confused.

— jennifer nalewicki, Smithsonian, "Inside the Mind-Bending World of the Museum of Illusions," 3 Nov. 2017
To sleep scientists, dreaming is the neurological process that happens when our minds enter rapid eye movement (REM) sleep

— susie neilson, The Cut, "We’re in a ‘Dream Deprivation’ Epidemic," 17 Oct. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'rapid eye movement.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.