sleeping pill

noun

: a drug and especially a barbiturate that is taken as a tablet or capsule to induce sleep

Examples of sleeping pill in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Wilson said, from his experience, the footballers turning to sleeping pills were often those with niggling injuries. Tom Burrows, New York Times, 30 Jan. 2026 Brandes drank alcohol and took sleeping pills, according to trial accounts described by CBS News, before Meiwes cut off his genitals with Brandes’ consent. Christina Coulter, PEOPLE, 20 Dec. 2025 Heidi blames the incident on mixing a sleeping pill with grapefruit juice, but Lizzie worries her sister might be struggling with the same addictions as their mother. Randall Colburn, Entertainment Weekly, 13 Nov. 2025 Studies show that this modification–which involves a number of stages designed to set you up for better sleep–has a longer lasting, better effect than any sleeping pill. Veronique Greenwood, Time, 10 Nov. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sleeping pill

Word History

First Known Use

1664, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sleeping pill was in 1664

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Cite this Entry

“Sleeping pill.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sleeping%20pill. Accessed 1 Feb. 2026.

Kids Definition

sleeping pill

noun
: a drug that is taken as a tablet or capsule to bring on sleep

Medical Definition

sleeping pill

noun
: a drug and especially a barbiturate that is taken as a tablet or capsule to induce sleep

called also sleeping tablet

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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