WAKEFULNESS

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 Dictionary entry overview: What does wakefulness mean? 

• WAKEFULNESS (noun)
  The noun WAKEFULNESS has 3 senses:

1. a periodic state during which you are conscious and aware of the world

2. a temporary state in which you are unable (or unwilling) to sleep

3. the process of paying close and continuous attention

  Familiarity information: WAKEFULNESS used as a noun is uncommon.

 Dictionary entry details 

• WAKEFULNESS (noun)

Sense 1

Meaning:

A periodic state during which you are conscious and aware of the world

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Context example:

consciousness during wakefulness in a sane person is pretty well ordered and familiar

Hypernyms ("wakefulness" is a kind of...):

waking (the state of remaining awake)

physical condition; physiological condition; physiological state (the condition or state of the body or bodily functions)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "wakefulness"):

arousal (awakening from sleep)

vigil (a period of sleeplessness)

Sense 2

Meaning:

A temporary state in which you are unable (or unwilling) to sleep

Classified under:

Nouns denoting stable states of affairs

Synonyms:

sleeplessness; wakefulness

Context example:

accept your wakefulness and sleep in its own contrary way is more likely to come

Hypernyms ("wakefulness" is a kind of...):

temporary state (a state that continues for a limited time)

Antonym:

sleepiness (a very sleepy state)

Derivation:

wakeful ((of sleep) easily disturbed)

Sense 3

Meaning:

The process of paying close and continuous attention

Classified under:

Nouns denoting cognitive processes and contents

Synonyms:

alertness; vigilance; wakefulness; watchfulness

Context example:

vigilance is especially susceptible to fatigue

Hypernyms ("wakefulness" is a kind of...):

attention (the faculty or power of mental concentration)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "wakefulness"):

jealousy (zealous vigilance)

Derivation:

wakeful (carefully observant or attentive; on the lookout for possible danger)

 Context examples 

Her aunt Bertram had recollected her on this occasion with an unusual degree of wakefulness.

(Mansfield Park, by Jane Austen)

Armodafinil acts in a part of the brain that controls sleep and wakefulness.

(Armodafinil, NCI Dictionary)

Nuvigil acts in a part of the brain that controls sleep and wakefulness.

(Nuvigil, NCI Dictionary)

This requires fine-tuned regulation of brain systems that enable rapid responses to changes in the environment, such as those involved in sleep, wakefulness, stress, and reward-seeking.

(Researchers identify key brain circuits for reward-seeking and avoidance behavior, National Institutes of Health)

Amphetamine induces psychologic dependence which is manifested by elevated mood, increased wakefulness, concentration, physical performance and a feeling of well-being.

(Amphetamine, NCI Thesaurus)

During wakefulness, however, all participants presented brain MEG responses reflecting the grouping of sounds into sets of 3 elements.

(Learning While Sleeping?, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

These agents are commonly abused psychostimulant drugs that induce psychologic dependence manifested by elevated mood, increased wakefulness, concentration, physical performance and a feeling of well-being.

(Dextroamphetamine-amphetamine, NCI Thesaurus)

Such emotions are well-known to affect wakefulness and can even cause insomnia, though the underlying mechanisms in our brain have still been unclear.

(The Secret Connection between Anxiety, Sleep, The Titi Tudorancea Bulletin)

Orexin, a hormone produced in a circuit emanating from the brain's hypothalamus, regulates arousal, wakefulness and reward.

(The Mechanism of Panic Attacks, NIH, US)

He tried to steal in, but was baffled by your wakefulness.

(The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)