-
- To save this word, you'll need to log in.
night terror
noun
: a sudden awakening in dazed terror that occurs in children during slow-wave sleep, is often preceded by a sudden shrill cry uttered in sleep, and is not remembered when the child awakes
—usually used in plural
Examples of night terror in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
The other two children suffered similar abuses and suffered from a range of behavioral issues, including panic, fearfulness, injury, difficulty focusing, night terrors, and uncontrollable crying, the families allege.
—Sarah Lapidus, The Arizona Republic, 8 Dec. 2024
The Germanic nightmare fae, the Alp, causes night terrors by sitting in the chest of a sleeping human.
—Erik Kain, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024
Most children don't even remember having had night terrors.
—Lori Miller Kase, Parents, 30 Oct. 2024
The creepiest part may have been when their 8-year-old daughter started experiencing sudden night terrors and bouts of sleepwalking.
—Natalia Senanayake, People.com, 18 Oct. 2024
See all Example Sentences for night terror
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.
Word History
First Known Use
1889, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near night terror
Cite this Entry
“Night terror.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/night%20terror. Accessed 25 Dec. 2024.
Medical Definition
night terror
noun
night ter·ror
-ˈter-ər
: a sudden awakening in dazed terror that occurs in children during slow-wave sleep, is often preceded by a sudden shrill cry uttered in sleep, and is not remembered when the child awakes
—usually used in plural
called also pavor nocturnus
More from Merriam-Webster on night terror
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about night terror
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share