insomnia

noun

in·​som·​nia in-ˈsäm-nē-ə How to pronounce insomnia (audio)
: 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

Examples of insomnia in a Sentence

has suffered from insomnia virtually his entire life
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Weighted blankets have been beneficial for some people who struggle with insomnia and anxiety. Kristen Rogers, CNN, 20 Jan. 2025 The best remedy for insomnia, as with most things in life, is learning to live with it. Adam Gopnik, The New Yorker, 20 Jan. 2025 Morgenthaler said other treatments are still needed, noting that 30% to 40% of sleep apnea patients suffer from insomnia, as well, and that opening the airway alone does not provide relief. Berkeley Lovelace Jr., NBC News, 20 Dec. 2024 The insomnia of his undercover years finally abated. Joshua Kaplan, ProPublica, 4 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for insomnia 

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

1739, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of insomnia was in 1739

Dictionary Entries Near insomnia

Cite this Entry

“Insomnia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insomnia. Accessed 31 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

insomnia

noun
in·​som·​nia in-ˈsäm-nē-ə How to pronounce insomnia (audio)
: prolonged inability to sleep

Medical Definition

insomnia

noun
in·​som·​nia in-ˈsäm-nē-ə How to pronounce insomnia (audio)
: prolonged and usually abnormal inability to obtain adequate sleep especially due to difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep

called also agrypnia

More from Merriam-Webster on insomnia

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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