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

These symptoms include hot flashes, insomnia and brain fog.

From MarketWatch

He said: "Someone may feel temporary relief from pain, anxiety or insomnia, but the root cause remains unaddressed."

From BBC

But doctors also give it to patients with other types of chronic pain, anxiety, migraines, insomnia, distorted sense of smell and hot flashes in menopause.

From The Wall Street Journal

On Sep. 4, Anderberg went to a local hospital complaining of shaking in his arms and legs and severe insomnia.

From The Wall Street Journal

Some "suffer strokes upon hearing the news, others experience insomnia and amnesia", he told AFP.

From Barron's

Related Words

• restlessness