rapid eye movement

noun

: a rapid conjugate movement of the eyes associated especially with REM sleep

Examples of rapid eye movement in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

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, Ms, Rd/n, Cnsc, Fand, Verywell Health, 6 Mar. 2025

Dogs, like humans, go through several sleep cycles—wakefulness, rapid eye movement (REM) sleep and non-rapid-eye-movement sleep. —Dan Perry, Newsweek, 28 Feb. 2025

Now a group shows that people who take longer to enter the dream phase of sleep known as rapid eye movement (REM) may be exhibiting an early symptom of the disease, according to work published in Alzheimer’s and Dementia: The Journal of the Alzheimer's Association. —Paul Smaglik, Discover Magazine, 27 Jan. 2025

The previous night included at least six hours of sleep Sleep architecture (the pattern of rapid eye movement (REM) and non-REM sleep) was normal. —Anna Giorgi, Verywell Health, 12 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1900, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for rapid eye movement

• improvement

Kids Definition

rapid eye movement

noun

: rapid movement of the eyes which occurs during the dreaming period of sleep

Medical 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