hypersomnia

American  

[hahy-per-som-nee-uh] / ˌhaɪ pərˈsɒm ni ə /

noun

Pathology.

1. a tendency to sleep excessively.

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Other Word Forms

• hypersomniac noun

Etymology

Origin of hypersomnia

First recorded in 1875–80; hyper- + (in)somnia

Example Sentences

It’s acquiring Centessa Pharmaceuticals, which is working on orexin receptor 2 agonists for conditions like narcolepsy and idiopathic hypersomnia — forms of daytime sleepiness.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 31, 2026

Its first-generation candidate, ORX750, is aimed at treating three types of severe narcolepsy—type I, type II, and idiopathic hypersomnia.

From Barron's • Sep. 26, 2025

"Further efforts to identify, diagnose and treat those impaired by idiopathic hypersomnia are needed. Additional research may also clarify the causes of idiopathic hypersomnia and lead to new treatments."

From Science Daily • Dec. 13, 2023

But with few other options, many hypersomnia patients are willing to take their chances on the drug.

From Seattle Times • Aug. 12, 2021

I generally drink from half to three-quarters of a cup of black coffee, or nearly black, every morning at from eleven to five minutes past, so as to keep off hypersomnia.

From Moonbeams from the Larger Lunacy by Leacock, Stephen