somnambulism

noun

som·​nam·​bu·​lism säm-ˈnam-byə-ˌli-zəm 

1

: an abnormal condition of sleep in which motor acts (such as walking) are performed

2

: actions characteristic of somnambulism

somnambulist

säm-ˈnam-byə-list 

noun

somnambulistic

(ˌ)säm-ˌnam-byə-ˈli-stik 

adjective

somnambulistically

(ˌ)säm-ˌnam-byə-ˈli-sti-k(ə-)lē 

adverb

Examples of somnambulism in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Oh No - Kreepa Sleepwalking, also known as somnambulism, is a sleep disorder in which a person gets up and moves around while still asleep. — Melissa Fleur Afshar, MSNBC Newsweek, 3 Sep. 2025

Birbiglia’s endearingly confessional stand-up often centers on his various health issues, which with his somnambulism take up almost the entirety of his latest standup special, The Old Man and the Pool. — Greg Carannante, Sun Sentinel, 10 Jan. 2024

Eating excessively, going to the bathroom in inappropriate places, and even driving are all types of somnambulism. — Steve Nadis, Discover Magazine, 26 Nov. 2023

According to the National Sleep Foundation, as many as 15 percent of adults experience sleepwalking, or somnambulism, a disorder that involves walking or other activities such as dressing, driving or cooking while asleep. — Leigh Ann Henion, New York Times, 16 Apr. 2020

The Trib was known as a writer’s paper, and while there Wolfe made forays beyond totemic somnambulism. — Ben Yagoda, WSJ, 18 May 2018

Word History

First Known Use

1797, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for somnambulism

• activism
• albinism
• altruism
• aneurism
• animism
• aphorism
• atomism
• barbarism
• bolshevism
• botulism
• brahmanism
• calvinism

Medical Definition

somnambulism

noun

som·​nam·​bu·​lism säm-ˈnam-byə-ˌliz-əm 

1

: an abnormal condition of sleep in which motor acts (as walking) are performed

2

: actions characteristic of somnambulism

somnambulistic

(ˌ)säm-ˌnam-byə-ˈlis-tik 

adjective