sleep
verb (used without object)
to take the rest afforded by a suspension of voluntary bodily functions and the natural suspension, complete or partial, of consciousness; cease being awake.
are sleeping
-
present progressiveof sleep.present progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or state that is currently taking place in the immediate present.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The best times to encounter them are at dawn or dusk, when most tourists are sleeping or sipping caipirinhas.
From Slate ● May 27, 2026
Schools that have been turned into shelters are full, and many are sleeping in improvised tents in public spaces and even in cars.
From BBC ● Apr. 8, 2026
“Some are sleeping in their cars, selling their blood and plasma.”
From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 26, 2026
Some observers are overseas to keep tabs when those in the U.S. are sleeping.
From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 12, 2026
On the bus, some of the people are sleeping, others are staring out the window or talking softly.
From "Brown Girl Dreaming" by Jacqueline Woodson
