sleep
verb (used without object)
to take the rest afforded by a suspension of voluntary bodily functions and the natural suspension, complete or partial, of consciousness; cease being awake.
was sleeping
-
past progressiveof sleep.past progressive
Used to describe an ongoing action or continuous state that was happening at a specific time in the past.
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.
Dunn, 36, then had to shine a torch through the window of a neighbouring property to wake up another resident who was sleeping with an eye mask on and ear plugs in.
From BBC ● Jun. 9, 2026
Rick Phillips, 53, senior software engineer: One night while I was sleeping, I heard a crash in the room.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Apr. 6, 2026
The pop star told police that Rocky was sleeping when she “suddenly heard approximately ten loud sounds like something banging on metal,” according to the report.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 25, 2026
In France, while he was sleeping on the steps of a church, Alarnab had often cooked for hundreds of other refugees.
From Barron's ● Mar. 2, 2026
Mary was nowhere in sight; she was sleeping with Aunt Docia and Aunt Ruby in their bed.
From "Little House in the Big Woods" by Laura Ingalls Wilder
