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

The insomnia of his undercover years finally abated. —Joshua Kaplan, ProPublica, 4 Jan. 2025

But too much exercise at the wrong time could aggravate insomnia. —Hilary Achauer, New York Times, 2 Jan. 2025

Like Denaro, the performer's story is one of being a day laborer turned moonlight crooner who dredged songs from insomnia in the middle of the night. —Marcus K. Dowling, The Tennessean, 20 Dec. 2024

They're used to treat insomnia, or the inability to sleep, in people with serious psychiatric conditions. —Martta Kelly, Verywell Health, 19 Dec. 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