insomnia

noun

in·​som·​nia in-ˈsäm-nē-ə 

: prolonged and usually abnormal inability to get enough sleep especially due to trouble falling asleep or staying asleep

chronic insomnia

Insomnia is a patient-reported problem characterized by difficulty falling asleep or difficulty maintaining sleep; ie, frequent awakenings, difficulty returning to sleep after awakenings, or awakening too early with inability to return to sleep.

—Daniel J. Buysse

Synonyms

• sleeplessness
• wakefulness

Examples of insomnia in a Sentence

has suffered from insomnia virtually his entire life

Recent Examples on the Web

Your quest to solve a number of health ailments - anxiety, insomnia, nausea and more - may have brought you to look up essential oils. —Hannah Yasharoff, USA TODAY, 6 Apr. 2024

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, some of the side effects could include irritation to the eyes, skin, and stomach, as well as cough, chest pain or difficulty breathing, insomnia, irritability, indecision, headache, weakness or exhaustion and weight loss. —Claudia Levens, Journal Sentinel, 1 Apr. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Latin, from insomnis sleepless, from in- + somnus sleep — more at somnolent

First Known Use

1739, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

insomnia

noun

in·​som·​nia in-ˈsäm-nē-ə 

: prolonged inability to sleep

Medical Definition

insomnia

noun

in·​som·​nia in-ˈsäm-nē-ə 

: prolonged and usually abnormal inability to obtain adequate sleep especially due to difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep

called also agrypnia