slumber

1 of 3

verb

slum·​ber ˈsləm-bər How to pronounce slumber (audio)
slumbered; slumbering ˈsləm-b(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce slumber (audio)
Synonyms of slumber

intransitive verb

1
a
: to sleep lightly : doze
b
: sleep
2
a
: to be in a torpid, slothful, or negligent state
b
: to lie dormant or latent
slumberer
ˈsləm-bər-ər How to pronounce slumber (audio)
noun

slumber

2 of 3

noun (1)

1
a
: sleep
b
: a light sleep
2
: lethargy, torpor

slumberer

3 of 3

noun (2)

slum·​ber·​er -bərə(r) How to pronounce slumberer (audio)
plural -s
: one that slumbers : sleeper

Synonyms of slumber

Relevance

Verb

Noun (1)

See All Synonyms & Antonyms in Thesaurus

Examples of slumber in a Sentence

Verb she slumbered for hours while the train rolled on slumbering restlessly in the tropical heat Noun (1) She fell into deep slumber. a toddler looking so innocent and peaceful in slumber
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.
Verb
But the nannies had to get up in the night at the sound of my shrieks while my parents slumbered with ear-plugs in. — Literary Hub, 28 Apr. 2026 One of the men set fire to the slumbering victim’s clothes, causing a small blaze, police said. — Rocco Parascandola, New York Daily News, 3 Mar. 2026
Noun
Mighty ice breakers moored in their summer slumber are the only reminder of the bitter Baltic winters. — Tribune News Service, Baltimore Sun, 10 June 2026 Nature’s orchestra lulled me into a tranquil slumber. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 27 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for slumber

Word History

Etymology

Verb

Middle English slomren, slombren, frequentative of slumen to doze, probably from slume slumber, from Old English slūma; akin to Middle High German slumen to slumber

Noun (2)

Middle English slumbrer, slumerer, from slumberen, slumeren to slumber + -er

First Known Use

Verb

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of slumber was in the 13th century

Phrases Containing slumber

Rhymes for slumber

See All Rhymes for slumber

Browse Nearby Words

slum
slumber
slumberer
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Slumber.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/slumber. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

slumber

1 of 2 verb
slum·​ber ˈsləm-bər How to pronounce slumber (audio)
slumbered; slumbering -b(ə-)riŋ How to pronounce slumber (audio)
1
: to sleep usually lightly
2
: to exist without being active
a slumbering volcano
slumberer
-bər-ər How to pronounce slumber (audio)
noun

slumber

2 of 2 noun
: sleep entry 1

More from Merriam-Webster on slumber

Nglish: Translation of slumber for Spanish Speakers

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