catnap

[ kat-nap ]

noun

1. a short, light nap or doze.

verb (used without object)

, cat·napped, cat·nap·ping.

1. to doze or sleep lightly.

catnap

/ ˈkætˌnæp /

noun

1. a short sleep or doze

verb

1. intr to sleep or doze for a short time or intermittently

Word History and Origins

Origin of catnap¹

An Americanism dating back to 1815–25; cat + nap ¹

Example Sentences

On good ones, they found a lodging house and raced upstairs, hoping to claim a catnap before that evening’s gig.

From Los Angeles Times

Maybe he could take a little rest, catnap like Mom did after dinner, before she started her hours of baking.

From Literature

On Christmas Day, after we pick up all the wrapping paper, and the kids play with their toys, and Rachel and I recover with a little catnap, we gather again to have a little birthday party for Jesus.

From Fox News

On Christmas Day, after we pick up all the wrapping paper, and the kids play with their toys, and Rachel and I recover with a little catnap, we gather again to have a little birthday party for Jesus.

From Fox News

Some marine mammals sleep while swimming and some seabirds catnap while flying, letting one half of the brain doze while the other keeps working.

From Science Magazine