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
Daniel J. Buysse
Examples of insomnia in a Sentence
has suffered from insomnia virtually his entire life
Recent Examples on the Web
Cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia is the most effective tool out there for treating insomnia, so people with more severe sleep problems may want to seek that out as well, Paruthi added.
—Madeline Holcombe, CNN, 26 Mar. 2024
When meeting with your doctor, relay any sleep issues or concerns to them so you can be monitored for sleep apnea or insomnia.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 13 Mar. 2024
Breathing exercises can help fight insomnia or ward off panic attacks.
—Medea Giordano, WIRED, 11 Mar. 2024
Some cases of insomnia do have specific causes—many of which seem to respond to physical activity.
—Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 27 Mar. 2024
Participants in nine European countries were surveyed about their frequency, intensity and duration of physical activity as well as their symptoms of insomnia, amount of sleep each night and feelings of sleepiness during the day.
—Madeline Holcombe, CNN, 26 Mar. 2024
According to the National Center for Biotechnology, up to 64% of women often report sleeping problems and higher rates of insomnia during perimenopause and menopause.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 13 Mar. 2024
While the scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness in relieving stress and insomnia isn’t strong, an association between magnesium intake and improvements in depression, anxiety and migraine headaches is evident, according to experts.
—Anthony De Leon, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2024
There are several useful methods to treat the condition, including fixing your sleep hygiene and engaging in cognitive behavioral therapy specifically for insomnia.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 12 Mar. 2024
Madeline Holcombe, CNN, 26 Mar. 2024
When meeting with your doctor, relay any sleep issues or concerns to them so you can be monitored for sleep apnea or insomnia.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 13 Mar. 2024
Breathing exercises can help fight insomnia or ward off panic attacks.
—Medea Giordano, WIRED, 11 Mar. 2024
Some cases of insomnia do have specific causes—many of which seem to respond to physical activity.
—Cindy Kuzma, SELF, 27 Mar. 2024
Participants in nine European countries were surveyed about their frequency, intensity and duration of physical activity as well as their symptoms of insomnia, amount of sleep each night and feelings of sleepiness during the day.
—Madeline Holcombe, CNN, 26 Mar. 2024
According to the National Center for Biotechnology, up to 64% of women often report sleeping problems and higher rates of insomnia during perimenopause and menopause.
—Dominique Fluker, Essence, 13 Mar. 2024
While the scientific evidence supporting its effectiveness in relieving stress and insomnia isn’t strong, an association between magnesium intake and improvements in depression, anxiety and migraine headaches is evident, according to experts.
—Anthony De Leon, Los Angeles Times, 7 Mar. 2024
There are several useful methods to treat the condition, including fixing your sleep hygiene and engaging in cognitive behavioral therapy specifically for insomnia.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 12 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'insomnia.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near insomnia
Cite this Entry
“Insomnia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insomnia. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids 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
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