unconsciousness
Britishnoun
Explanation
Unconsciousness is a state of being unaware of what's going on around you, either because you're not awake or because you're simply oblivious. If you fall asleep during a movie, and your unconsciousness means you'll miss the ending. Even if everyone in your family is mad at each other, your little cousin's unconsciousness of the argument might make it easier to have a peaceful Thanksgiving. And after the meal, the great quantities of food eaten may result in the unconsciousness of half the guests, who doze in the living room, snoring softly. In both kinds of unconsciousness, someone isn't conscious, or aware, of their surroundings.
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
It is also unclear whether similar language processing occurs during sleep or coma, two conditions that differ significantly from medically induced unconsciousness.
From Science Daily ● Oct. 15, 2026
According to a peer-reviewed study in the journal Traffic Injury Prevention, Waymo recorded 85 percent fewer crashes likely to cause serious injuries—like broken bones, unconsciousness, or skull fractures—compared to human drivers.
From Slate ● Jun. 10, 2025
It has an element of unconsciousness, like in any dream.
From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 3, 2024
The new technology is intended to help prevent people with type 1 diabetes experiencing life-threatening low or high blood glucose levels, which can lead to unconsciousness and can even be fatal.
From BBC ● Apr. 1, 2024
There was a place halfway between consciousness and unconsciousness where Tessie did her best thinking.
From "Middlesex: A Novel" by Jeffrey Eugenides
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