insomnia
noun
in·som·nia
in-ˈsäm-nē-ə 
: prolonged and usually abnormal inability to get enough sleep especially due to trouble falling asleep or staying asleep
chronic insomnia
Insomnia is a patient-reported problem characterized by difficulty falling asleep or difficulty maintaining sleep; ie, frequent awakenings, difficulty returning to sleep after awakenings, or awakening too early with inability to return to sleep.—
Daniel J. Buysse
Daniel J. BuysseExamples of insomnia in a Sentence
has suffered from insomnia virtually his entire life
Recent Examples on the Web
Some drugs prescribed for insomnia can impair driving the following morning, particularly if higher doses are taken or when they are combined with other sedating substances.
—Amanda Greenwood, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
For people experiencing insomnia and other sleep issues, other supplements may also help improve rest.
—Kirstyn Hill, Health, 31 Mar. 2026
She’s suffered from burnout, depression and insomnia over political disagreements and has fallen out with friends and family.
—Vivian Song, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2026
Common reactions include nausea, headache, fatigue, anxiety, insomnia, and gastrointestinal discomfort.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 Mar. 2026
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Amanda Greenwood, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Apr. 2026
For people experiencing insomnia and other sleep issues, other supplements may also help improve rest.
—Kirstyn Hill, Health, 31 Mar. 2026
She’s suffered from burnout, depression and insomnia over political disagreements and has fallen out with friends and family.
—Vivian Song, CNN Money, 30 Mar. 2026
Common reactions include nausea, headache, fatigue, anxiety, insomnia, and gastrointestinal discomfort.
—Encyclopedia Britannica, 26 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for insomnia
Cite this Entry
“Insomnia.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/insomnia. Accessed 5 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
insomnia
noun
in·som·nia
in-ˈsäm-nē-ə
: prolonged inability to sleep
Medical Definition
insomnia
noun
in·som·nia
in-ˈsäm-nē-ə
: prolonged and usually abnormal inability to obtain adequate sleep especially due to difficulty falling asleep or staying asleep
called also agrypnia
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