Catnap

A short, light sleep, especially one taken during the day. It is a brief period of rest, often unplanned, and can provide a quick boost of energy or improve alertness. Catnaps are typically relatively short in duration, ranging from a few minutes to an hour, to avoid entering deeper stages of sleep that can cause grogginess upon waking. The term 'catnap' alludes to the sleep patterns of cats, known for their frequent and brief periods of rest.

Catnap meaning with examples

• After a long morning of meetings, Sarah felt her eyelids getting heavy. Recognizing her fatigue, she decided to take a quick catnap at her desk. Setting a timer for 20 minutes, she rested her head and quickly drifted off. This brief rest rejuvenated her, allowing her to tackle the afternoon's workload with renewed focus and energy. The catnap proved crucial for her productivity.
• The road trip was exhausting, and after several hours of driving, the children started to become restless. Pulling over to a rest stop, the parents gave everyone a chance to take a catnap. The parents, relieved by the quiet for a short time, quickly drifted off while the children fidgeted in their seats until they went to sleep, too. Refreshed by this short rest stop, they were able to complete the rest of the long journey.
• During her lunch break, Maria found a quiet spot in the park to take a catnap. The warm sunshine and gentle breeze lulled her to sleep. When she awoke, she felt significantly more relaxed and prepared to face the afternoon. She was able to focus, which would never have happened without her refreshing catnap and was glad she decided to get the small break.
• The early morning flight left John feeling sluggish. While waiting at the gate for his connecting flight, he found an empty chair and decided to take a quick catnap. He closed his eyes for a few minutes and was surprised by how much better he felt when he woke. The catnap helped him feel refreshed for the rest of his journey and he was glad for the time.