sleep

1 of 2

noun

ˈslēp 

1

: the natural, easily reversible periodic state of many living things that is marked by the absence of wakefulness and by the loss of consciousness of one's surroundings, is accompanied by a typical body posture (such as lying down with the eyes closed), the occurrence of dreaming, and changes in brain activity and physiological functioning, is made up of cycles of non-REM sleep and REM sleep, and is usually considered essential to the restoration and recovery of vital bodily and mental functions

2

: a state resembling sleep: such as

a

: a state of torpid inactivity

b

: death

put a pet cat to sleep

also : trance, coma

c

: the closing of leaves or petals especially at night

d

: a state marked by a diminution of feeling followed by tingling

my foot's gone to sleep

e

: the state of an animal during hibernation

3

a

: a period spent sleeping

b

: night

c

: a day's journey

4

: crusty matter present in the corner of an eye upon awakening

sleeplike

ˈslēp-ˌlīk 

adjective

sleep

2 of 2

verb

slept ˈslept  ; sleeping; sleeps

intransitive verb

1

: to rest in a state of sleep

2

: to be in a state (as of quiescence or death) resembling sleep

3

: to have sexual relations

—usually used with with

was sleeping with a coworker

see also sleep together

transitive verb

1

: to be slumbering in

slept the sleep of the dead

2

: to get rid of or spend in or by sleep

sleep away the hours

sleep off a headache

3

: to provide sleeping accommodations for

the boat sleeps six

Synonyms

Noun

• bed
• catnapping
• dozing
• napping
• repose
• rest
• resting
• shut-eye
• slumber
• slumbering
• snoozing
• z's
• zs

Verb

• catnap
• doze
• nap
• rest
• slumber
• snooze

Examples of sleep in a Sentence

Noun

I just need to get some sleep.

How much sleep did you get last night?

Her roommate talks in her sleep.

The noise woke her from a deep sleep.

He woke up and rubbed the sleep out of his eyes.

Verb

I couldn't sleep last night. I was awake all night long.

I usually try to sleep for at least eight hours every night.

Did you sleep soundly last night?

We were sleeping peacefully when a sudden loud noise woke us up.

I can never sleep on airplanes.

The tent sleeps five adults.

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Many plans emphasize stress-lowering practices like sleep, exercise, and mindfulness. —Helen Carefoot, Verywell Health, 16 May 2025

Getting enough sleep and physical activity, as well as addressing stress with mindfulness or relaxation techniques, can help. —Alice Park, Time, 16 May 2025

Verb

His parents went to sleep that night believing their son would soon be in Florida, and play a practice round that next day. —Mac Engel may 16, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 16 May 2025

The quiet child keeps mostly to himself, eating lunch in the locker room and occasionally sleeping there too. —Lovia Gyarkye, HollywoodReporter, 16 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English slepe, from Old English slǣp; akin to Old High German slāf sleep and perhaps to Latin labi to slip, slide

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing sleep

• a good night's sleep
• anti-sleep
• die in one's sleep
• drifted off to sleep
• get to sleep
• got back to sleep
• go to sleep
• in one's sleep
• lose sleep over
• non-REM sleep
• not get a wink of sleep
• not sleep a wink
• NREM sleep
• paradoxical sleep
• pre-sleep
• put to sleep
• rapid eye movement sleep
• REM sleep
• sleep apnea
• sleep around
• sleep a wink
• sleep-deprived
• sleep disorder
• sleep in
• sleep it off
• sleep like a baby/log
• sleep off
• sleep on it
• sleep out
• sleep through
• sleep tight
• sleep together
• sleep with
• slow-wave sleep
• to sleep

Rhymes for sleep

• beep
• cheap
• creep
• deep
• heap
• jeep
• keep
• leap
• peep
• reap
• seep
• sheep

Kids Definition

sleep

1 of 2 noun

ˈslēp 

1

: the natural periodic loss of consciousness during which the powers of the body are restored

2

: a state resembling sleep: as

a

: a state of inactivity (as hibernation) like sleep

b

: death sense 4

put my pet cat to sleep

also : coma entry 1, trance

c

: a state marked by loss of feeling followed by tingling

my foot's gone to sleep

sleeplike

ˈslē-ˌplīk 

adjective

sleep

2 of 2 verb

slept ˈslept  ; sleeping

1

: to rest or be in a state of sleep

2

: to get rid of or spend in or by sleep

slept off his headache

3

: to provide sleeping space for

the boat sleeps six

4

: to have sexual intercourse

Medical Definition

sleep

1 of 2 noun

ˈslēp 

1

: the natural, easily reversible, periodic state of many living things that is marked by the absence of wakefulness and by the loss of consciousness of one's surroundings, is accompanied by a typical body posture (as lying down with the eyes closed), the occurrence of dreaming, and changes in brain activity and physiological functioning, is made up of cycles of non-REM sleep and REM sleep, and is usually considered essential to the restoration and recovery of vital bodily and mental functions

2

: a state resembling sleep: as

a

: death sense 1

put a pet cat to sleep

b

: a state marked by a diminution of feeling followed by tingling

her foot went to sleep

sleep

2 of 2 intransitive verb

slept ˈslept  ; sleeping

: to rest in a state of sleep