somnambulism

American  

[som-nam-byuh-liz-uhm, suhm-] / sɒmˈnæm byəˌlɪz əm, səm- /

noun

1. sleepwalking.

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somnambulism British  

/ sɒmˈnæmbjʊˌlɪzəm /

noun

1. Also called: noctambulism.  a condition that is characterized by walking while asleep or in a hypnotic trance

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• somnambulist
  noun
• somnambulistic
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of somnambulism

First recorded in 1790–1800; from French somnambulisme, from New Latin somnambulismus, equivalent to somn(us) “sleep” + ambul(āre) “to walk” + -ismus -ism

Explanation

Somnambulism is sleepwalking. Some people have managed to walk around their neighborhood without even knowing it because of somnambulism. The roots of this word — somn and amublate — are related to sleep and walking, and that's exactly what somnambulism is: walking in your sleep. Lots of people engage in somnambulism every night, usually harmlessly. Somnambulism can also include talking in your sleep and doing other activities.