What does sleepwalking mean?
Sleepwalking is the condition of walking or carrying out another simple activity while still asleep, usually without awareness or later memory of what happened. It is also known by the formal term somnambulism and can occur in children as well as adults. Episodes may involve walking through the house, opening doors, or attempting complex tasks, and the person often appears confused if awakened. Sleepwalking can be associated with sleep deprivation, stress, medications, and certain sleep disorders. Although it may look purposeful, the behavior is generally not under conscious control. The word is useful because it names the unusual combination of activity and unconsciousness that distinguishes the condition from ordinary sleepwalking dreams or simple restlessness during sleep.
nounThe condition of walking, or performing another simple activity, while still asleep. Also called somnambulism.
- The act or condition of walking while asleep, usually without awareness or memory of the episode.
"She was found sleepwalking in the kitchen, although she had no memory of the episode."
"His sleepwalking became more frequent after the change in medication."
"The doctor explained that sleepwalking is more common among children than adults."
The plural is rare and is used mainly when referring to separate episodes or instances of the condition.
"The sleepwalkings were more frequent when the child was overtired."
Sleepwalking turns ordinary sleep into a brief, unconscious journey: the body can act while the mind is elsewhere.
Reviewed by Deb Chak, Editor. AI-assisted content curated by RJS Tech Solutions LLP.
Where does sleepwalking come from?
Sleepwalking is an English compound formed from sleep and walk, with the suffix -ing added to create a noun for the activity. The two elements are of Germanic origin: sleep continues Old English slēpan, while walk continues Old English wealcan. The formal synonym somnambulism comes from Latin somnus, meaning sleep, and ambulare, meaning to walk.
Related word forms
How sleepwalking is actually used
The term is used in both formal and general contexts. In medical and psychological discussion, somnambulism is the more technical term. Sleepwalking is usually involuntary, although the affected person may appear to be responding to stimuli or following a familiar routine.