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
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
4
: crusty matter present in the corner of an eye upon awakening
slept
ˈslept 
; sleeping; sleeps
; sleeping; sleeps
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
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
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
Fred Bronson, Billboard, 5 Apr. 2024
Residual emotions from weddings and funerals and the passions of thousands of services all sleep, awakening when the open-minded pack the pews.
—Jonathan Rowe, SPIN, 4 Apr. 2024
Many people wake up frequently during the adjustment period, leading some to say their sleep is worse than before starting treatment.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 4 Apr. 2024
The only way to stop the seizure is to administer a rescue medication, which makes her sleep for the next five to seven hours.
—Adiba Nelson, Parents, 3 Apr. 2024
According to the couple, sleep tests are recommended for people with dwarfism to ensure their sleep isn't obstructed.
—Jordan Greene, Peoplemag, 3 Apr. 2024
On less than three hours’ sleep, Moore talked to U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
—Erin Cox, Washington Post, 1 Apr. 2024
That’s a pretty important factor for sleep tracking.
—Andrew Williams, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
Signs your antidepressant isn't working include developing unpleasant side effects, having worsening symptoms, and not getting enough sleep.
—Health Editorial Team, Health, 23 Mar. 2024
Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 6 Apr. 2024
The city that never sleeps, New York, has lost 13% of its 24-hour restaurants.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN, 6 Apr. 2024
A lot of people sleep on what Dawkins has been doing.
—Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 5 Apr. 2024
Martin also shared a sweet photo of her daughter resting in a car seat, sleeping under a pink blanket, and wearing a pink bow headband.
—Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 5 Apr. 2024
Severe symptoms include chronic pain and may limit the ability to eat, sleep, or talk.
—Anna Werner, CBS News, 4 Apr. 2024
Fort Lauderdale commissioners are weighing how to address homelessness in the wake of a new Florida law that bans people from sleeping or camping in public places.
—Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2024
Musk notoriously slept on the factory floors at Tesla before moving to nap under his desk so his team could see him.
—Byeleanor Pringle, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2024
Gratitude: Known for boosting happiness, counting your blessings is also a good way to relax and sleep, according to research.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 24 Mar. 2024
Noun
All that was left was a very late-night dinner with members of the production crew, a good night’s sleep and packing in the morning.
—Fred Bronson, Billboard, 5 Apr. 2024
Residual emotions from weddings and funerals and the passions of thousands of services all sleep, awakening when the open-minded pack the pews.
—Jonathan Rowe, SPIN, 4 Apr. 2024
Many people wake up frequently during the adjustment period, leading some to say their sleep is worse than before starting treatment.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 4 Apr. 2024
The only way to stop the seizure is to administer a rescue medication, which makes her sleep for the next five to seven hours.
—Adiba Nelson, Parents, 3 Apr. 2024
According to the couple, sleep tests are recommended for people with dwarfism to ensure their sleep isn't obstructed.
—Jordan Greene, Peoplemag, 3 Apr. 2024
On less than three hours’ sleep, Moore talked to U.S. Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
—Erin Cox, Washington Post, 1 Apr. 2024
That’s a pretty important factor for sleep tracking.
—Andrew Williams, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
Signs your antidepressant isn't working include developing unpleasant side effects, having worsening symptoms, and not getting enough sleep.
—Health Editorial Team, Health, 23 Mar. 2024
Verb
Speaking of not sleeping, N.Y.C.’s Soho district is filled with world-class shopping, culture, and entertainment options that keep you in tune with the latest.
—Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 6 Apr. 2024
The city that never sleeps, New York, has lost 13% of its 24-hour restaurants.
—Nathaniel Meyersohn, CNN, 6 Apr. 2024
A lot of people sleep on what Dawkins has been doing.
—Carl Lamarre, Billboard, 5 Apr. 2024
Martin also shared a sweet photo of her daughter resting in a car seat, sleeping under a pink blanket, and wearing a pink bow headband.
—Hannah Sacks, Peoplemag, 5 Apr. 2024
Severe symptoms include chronic pain and may limit the ability to eat, sleep, or talk.
—Anna Werner, CBS News, 4 Apr. 2024
Fort Lauderdale commissioners are weighing how to address homelessness in the wake of a new Florida law that bans people from sleeping or camping in public places.
—Raisa Habersham, Miami Herald, 3 Apr. 2024
Musk notoriously slept on the factory floors at Tesla before moving to nap under his desk so his team could see him.
—Byeleanor Pringle, Fortune, 25 Mar. 2024
Gratitude: Known for boosting happiness, counting your blessings is also a good way to relax and sleep, according to research.
—Sandee Lamotte, CNN, 24 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sleep.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to sleep
Dictionary Entries Near sleep
Cite this Entry
“Sleep.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sleep. Accessed 16 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sleep
1 of 2 noun1
: 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
sleep
2 of 2 verb
slept
ˈslept
; sleeping
; 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 noun1
: 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
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