night terror

noun

: a sudden awakening in dazed terror that occurs in children during slow-wave sleep, is often preceded by a sudden shrill cry uttered in sleep, and is not remembered when the child awakes
usually used in plural

Examples of night terror in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
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The other two children suffered similar abuses and suffered from a range of behavioral issues, including panic, fearfulness, injury, difficulty focusing, night terrors, and uncontrollable crying, the families allege. Sarah Lapidus, The Arizona Republic, 8 Dec. 2024 The Germanic nightmare fae, the Alp, causes night terrors by sitting in the chest of a sleeping human. Erik Kain, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024 Most children don't even remember having had night terrors. Lori Miller Kase, Parents, 30 Oct. 2024 The creepiest part may have been when their 8-year-old daughter started experiencing sudden night terrors and bouts of sleepwalking. Natalia Senanayake, People.com, 18 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for night terror 

Word History

First Known Use

1889, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of night terror was in 1889

Dictionary Entries Near night terror

Cite this Entry

“Night terror.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/night%20terror. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Medical Definition

night terror

noun
night ter·​ror -ˈter-ər How to pronounce night terror (audio)
: a sudden awakening in dazed terror that occurs in children during slow-wave sleep, is often preceded by a sudden shrill cry uttered in sleep, and is not remembered when the child awakes
usually used in plural

called also pavor nocturnus

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