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 prosecution also played a video showing photographs of Ammen and Spiridon with their daughters after their aunt and uncle, who now care for them, shared that one of the twins now experiences intense night terrors. —Caelyn Pender, The Mercury News, 26 Feb. 2025

Children who get enough restful sleep are less likely to experience night terrors. —Arielle Tschinkel, Parents, 12 Feb. 2025

Sleep deprivation increases the likelihood of night terrors. —Arielle Tschinkel, Parents, 12 Feb. 2025

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

Word History

First Known Use

1889, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for night terror

• cupbearer
• declarer
• preparer
• repairer
• seafarer
• wayfarer
• bearer
• carer
• error
• fairer
• ferrer
• rarer

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