sleeping pill

noun

1. a pill or capsule containing a drug for inducing sleep.

sleeping pill

noun

1. a pill or tablet containing a sedative drug, such as a barbiturate, used to induce sleep

Word History and Origins

Origin of sleeping pill¹

First recorded in 1940–45

Example Sentences

A friend offered me a sleeping pill, which should relax me and make me sleep well.

From Washington Blade

I had previously taken the odd sleeping pill, but I don’t like to take them for no reason because I am afraid of developing a dependency on them and then not being able to sleep on my own.

From Washington Blade

He was prescribed sleeping pills, muscle relaxants, antidepressants, antihistamines, opioids, and opiates by the Reno, Nevada, VA, after his service to treat post-traumatic stress disorder, as well as disk degeneration in his back, he said.

From The Daily Beast

I took a sleeping pill before I went to work and nodded off at my desk.

From Washington Post

As we pulled into the graveyard, I took a sleeping pill by accident instead of my antidepressant.

From Time

Related Words

• sedative