naptime

American  

[nap-tahym] / ˈnæpˌtaɪm /

noun

1. a time set aside for taking a nap; a period during which one naps.

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Usage

What does naptime mean? Naptime is the time of day during which a person, especially a child, takes a nap. A nap is a short period of sleep. The word almost always refers to a period of sleep that is separate from one’s main period of (often nighttime) sleep for the day. Naptime can refer to the time when the nap is supposed to start or to the entire duration of the nap. Naptime is especially associated with young children. While adults also take naps, young children often have a scheduled naptime (or multiple naptimes) every day when they take a nap (or are supposed to take a nap). For example, a baby might have a naptime around mid-morning and again in the afternoon. The children in a daycare or preschool class may have naptime some time after lunch. Example: I never liked naptime when I was a child, but as an adult, I wish it were part of the workday.

Example Sentences

Lawyers are hoping to recruit Matilda Banda, whose son narrowly escaped being crushed during naptime, to join a possible U.K. lawsuit.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 30, 2026

His wife, Julia Pierrat, 58, shepherds Marc, 59, through meals and naptime, ensures he is clean and comfortable, gently offers names and words he can’t find himself.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 7, 2025

“When it comes to the actual re-establishment of the business, Sound Transit provides next to nothing,” he said, as babies whimpered behind his office wall at naptime.

From Seattle Times • Nov. 12, 2023

There's also an optional matcha add-on, but I strongly suggest you omit that unless you're actively trying to nuke naptime.

From Salon • Mar. 13, 2022

Shrieking and kicking, sometimes holding his breath until his face turned frighteningly dark, was what he was still doing at the Nurturing Center at naptime.

From "Son" by Lois Lowry