sleeping

[slee-ping]

noun

1. the condition of being asleep.

adjective

1. asleep.

2. of, relating to, or having accommodations for sleeping.

   a sleeping compartment.

3. used to sleep in or on.

   a sleeping jacket.

4. used to induce or aid sleep or while asleep.

   sleeping mask.

Other Word Forms

• unsleeping adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of sleeping¹

Middle English word dating back to 1250–1300; sleep, -ing ¹, -ing ²

Example Sentences

A sleeping 3-year-old boy died after being struck by a collapsing chimney in the Landers earthquake.

From Los Angeles Times

I had quality but I was dreaming too much - a sleeping player.

From BBC

But after Kirk’s memorial, I started sleeping again.

From Salon

The housekeeper, having spied a man sleeping in the vestibule of her building, believes he’s connected to the murder and thus fears for her safety.

From Los Angeles Times

Staff at a specialist eating disorder unit have been photographed sleeping when they should have been looking after patients who were at risk of harming themselves.

From BBC

Related Words

• comatose 
• unconscious