# napping

/ˈnæpɪŋ/ (US) · /nˈæpɪŋ/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/napping
Updated: 2026-05-11

## Definition

the act of sleeping for a short time during the day. Many people find it helps them feel more energetic in the afternoon.

For teachers: the practice of taking a brief period of sleep, typically during daylight hours and outside of the primary nocturnal sleep cycle.

## Examples

- Napping for twenty minutes can help you feel refreshed.
- The company installed quiet pods to encourage napping during lunch breaks, citing studies that show improved afternoon productivity.
- While habitual napping is common in many Mediterranean cultures, sleep experts suggest that excessively long sessions can interfere with the body's circadian rhythm and lead to nighttime insomnia.

## Usage notes

- Often functions as a gerund; frequently paired with the verb 'to go' or used as a subject.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.