insomnia

American  

[in-som-nee-uh] / ɪnˈsɒm ni ə /

noun

1. inability to obtain sufficient sleep, especially when chronic; difficulty in falling or staying asleep; sleeplessness.

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insomnia British  

/ ɪnˈsɒmnɪə /

noun

1. chronic inability to fall asleep or to enjoy uninterrupted sleep

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insomnia Scientific  

/ ĭn-sŏm′nē-ə /

1. Chronic inability to fall asleep or remain asleep for an adequate length of time.

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insomnia Cultural  

1. A persistent and prolonged inability to sleep.

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Usage

What does insomnia mean? Insomnia is the inability to fall asleep or stay asleep for an adequate amount of time.Insomnia is often used casually to refer to occasional sleeplessness or a single instance of it. But in medical terms, insomnia typically refers to a condition involving a chronic inability to fall or stay asleep, meaning the inability is persistent and prolonged—it happens all the time.A person who experiences insomnia can be called an insomniac.Example: My insomnia gets worse when I’m under a lot of stress.

Other Word Forms

• insomnious adjective

Etymology

Origin of insomnia

First recorded in 1685–95; from Latin, equivalent to insomn(is) “sleepless” ( in- in- ³ + somn(us) “sleep” + -is, adjective suffix) + -ia -ia

Example Sentences

But her career was hampered by illness and injuries, particularly back trouble, and she has suffered insomnia.

From Barron's

Nearly 60% of non-hospitalized U.S. patients reported insomnia, compared with roughly one-third or fewer of patients in Colombia, Nigeria, and India.

From Science Daily

For me, that was the hot flashes, the insomnia, the depression, the rage.

From Los Angeles Times

Disrupted daily rhythms are already known to contribute to stress-related problems such as insomnia and anxiety, which are common among people with cancer.

From Science Daily

Many said they were suffering with both insomnia and waking hallucinations.

From BBC

Related Words

• restlessness