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.
"Many children are sleeping on a pile of clothes, or maybe just on the hard floor," said Ashley Wilcox from Care Zone, adding: "That's not good enough."
From BBC ● Sep. 1, 2026
She and five of her relatives are sleeping in tents in the yard, out of fear of more collapses.
From Barron's ● Jul. 8, 2026
The best times to encounter them are at dawn or dusk, when most tourists are sleeping or sipping caipirinhas.
From Slate ● May 27, 2026
Keeping track of how many like them are sleeping outdoors without so much as a tent or vehicle to shelter them has become a major concern for the organization.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 22, 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
