Synonyms
Examples of siesta in a Sentence
Most of the shops were closed after lunch for a two-hour siesta.
The shops are closed during siesta.
He's taking a little siesta out there on the patio.
Recent Examples on the Web
Relocating to a sunny Mediterranean city in Spain isn’t always just for a more relaxed lifestyle — although siestas are a definite plus.
—
Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 19 Jan. 2024
This same study on siestas found that individuals who napped for more than 30 minutes were more likely to have a higher body weight, higher blood sugar levels and high blood pressure.
—Good Housekeeping, 16 July 2023
According to People Who Actually Do It By Hannah Singleton As Norman and I acclimated to Tulum, measuring time in sunrises and siestas, we got invited to local activities, away from the tourist traps.
—Geena Rocero, SELF, 26 June 2023
Additional recent research on siestas, a Spanish word referring to a midday nap or rest break, found that people who often took a siesta lasting 30 minutes or less were 21% less likely to have elevated blood pressure compared to those who didn't take naps at all.
—Good Housekeeping, 16 July 2023
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Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 19 Jan. 2024
This same study on siestas found that individuals who napped for more than 30 minutes were more likely to have a higher body weight, higher blood sugar levels and high blood pressure.
—Good Housekeeping, 16 July 2023
According to People Who Actually Do It By Hannah Singleton As Norman and I acclimated to Tulum, measuring time in sunrises and siestas, we got invited to local activities, away from the tourist traps.
—Geena Rocero, SELF, 26 June 2023
Additional recent research on siestas, a Spanish word referring to a midday nap or rest break, found that people who often took a siesta lasting 30 minutes or less were 21% less likely to have elevated blood pressure compared to those who didn't take naps at all.
—Good Housekeeping, 16 July 2023
See all Example Sentences for siesta
Dictionary Entries Near siesta
Cite this Entry
“Siesta.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/siesta. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
siesta
noun
si·es·ta
sē-ˈes-tə 
: a nap or rest especially in the afternoon
Etymology
from Spanish siesta "an afternoon nap or rest period," from Latin sexta (hora) "sixth (hour), noon"; so called because the Romans counted the hours from sunrise
Word Origin
In the ancient Roman way of keeping track of time, the hours of the day were counted from sunrise to sunset. The hour when the sun was most nearly directly overhead was their sixth hour, or sexta hora in Latin. As Latin developed into Spanish on the Iberian Peninsula, sexta became siesta. In some countries, like Spain, it may be too hot to work in the middle of the day. There it is the custom to take a short nap until the heat begins to lessen. This rest period is called siesta in Spanish, and this word has come directly into English with the same meaning.
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