rapid eye movement
noun
: a rapid conjugate movement of the eyes associated especially with REM sleep
Examples of rapid eye movement in a Sentence
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Drinking alcohol before bed raises blood alcohol content, which disrupts rapid eye movement, or REM, sleep, a critical phase of the sleep cycle responsible for cognitive functions such as memory, concentration and mood regulation.
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Julianna Bragg, CNN, 15 Mar. 2025
Melatonin supplements can increase the time spent in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, which is a sleep stage associated with more vivid dreams or nightmares.
—Jennifer Lefton, Verywell Health, 23 May 2025
An extremely unusual sleep disorder, in which people can move during REM, or the rapid eye movement stage of sleep, is also a key early sign, according to research.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 7 May 2025
Alcohol suppresses rapid eye movement sleep, increases wakefulness in the latter half of the night, and impairs the body’s ability to enter restorative deep sleep.
—Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
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Julianna Bragg, CNN, 15 Mar. 2025
Melatonin supplements can increase the time spent in rapid eye movement (REM) sleep, which is a sleep stage associated with more vivid dreams or nightmares.
—Jennifer Lefton, Verywell Health, 23 May 2025
An extremely unusual sleep disorder, in which people can move during REM, or the rapid eye movement stage of sleep, is also a key early sign, according to research.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN Money, 7 May 2025
Alcohol suppresses rapid eye movement sleep, increases wakefulness in the latter half of the night, and impairs the body’s ability to enter restorative deep sleep.
—Jesse Pines, Forbes.com, 21 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for rapid eye movement
Cite this Entry
“Rapid eye movement.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rapid%20eye%20movement. Accessed 10 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
rapid eye movement
noun
rap·id eye movement
ˈrap-əd- 
: a rapid conjugate movement of the eyes associated especially with REM sleep
called also REM
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