siesta

American  

[see-es-tuh] / siˈɛs tə /

noun

1. a midday or afternoon rest or nap, especially as taken in Spain and Latin America.

   He is trying to relax, but the road construction noise seems likely to ruin his siesta.

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verb (used without object)

1. to take a midday or afternoon rest or nap.

   It got so hot that even the cicadas started singing earlier and siestaed during the heat of the day.

siesta British  

/ sɪˈɛstə /

noun

1. a rest or nap, usually taken in the early afternoon, as in hot countries

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Etymology

Origin of siesta

First recorded in 1645–55; from Spanish, from Latin sexta ( hōra ) “the sixth (hour), midday”

Explanation

You can make your afternoon nap sound a little more exotic if you call it a siesta. In some countries, it's common for people to take a siesta after lunch. In warm parts of Southern Europe and the Mediterranean, the siesta is an important part of the culture. It's especially ingrained in Spain—and in Italy, where it's called a riposo. The Spanish word siesta, "mid-day nap," comes from the Latin phrase sexta hora, "sixth hour," or noon. The prevalence of siestas in certain countries is probably connected to hot weather and traditions of large mid-day meals.

Example Sentences

“It looks like the siesta time of day,” said Carle, science director of the nonprofit Oikonos Ecosystem Knowledge.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 22, 2025

Animals go to their shelter, humans have a siesta, even plants have mechanisms to avoid an overdose of light.

From Science Daily • Nov. 18, 2024

Partygoers use the promptu 'hose' showers set up by locals, or take dip in the nearby Buñol river, before enjoying a delicious Spanish meal and a well-deserved siesta!

From DOGO News • Sep. 8, 2023

By donating money, people can trigger loud noises, alerts, flicker lights, or make things happen in a room to disturb the streamer from their siesta.

From BBC • Aug. 19, 2023

The Cowboy skippered the boat; Otto sketched and fished; Perry baited hooks, daydreamed, sang, and sometimes fished; Dick did nothing—only moaned, complained of the motion, lay about sun-drugged and listless, like a lizard at siesta.

From "In Cold Blood" by Truman Capote