circadian
adjective
cir·ca·di·an
| \ sər-ˈkā-dē-ən
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Definition of circadian
: being, having, characterized by, or occurring in approximately 24-hour periods or cycles (as of biological activity or function)
circadian rhythms in activity
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Examples of circadian in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
In advanced sleep phase, your body clock (circadian rhythm) is on a schedule hours earlier than most other people’s. — chicagotribune.com, "Are you an ‘extreme early bird’?," 20 Aug. 2019 Plants, like people, have circadian rhythms that alter their responses to their environment. — Zoë Schlanger, Quartz, "Syngenta just funded a study on the best way to spray glyphosate," 16 Aug. 2019 The circadian rhythm regulates the sleep-wake cycle. — Lauren Lee, CNN, "These interior design tips can help you create a bedroom blueprint for better sleep," 6 Aug. 2019 Light disrupts the normal cues associated with circadian rhythms, to which species have evolved timing of migration, reproducing, and feeding. — Jenny Howard, National Geographic, "Marine pollution, explained," 2 Aug. 2019 Another group—also at the Institute of Neuroscience—recently combined cloning and CRISPR to create 325 monkey embryos with the same mutation, one that disrupts circadian rhythms in people and is connected to sleep disorders, diabetes, and cancers. — Jon Cohen, Science | AAAS, "China’s CRISPR push in animals promises better meat, novel therapies, and pig organs for people," 31 July 2019 Studies have shown that warm sleeping environments can interfere with circadian temperature regulation by preventing the body from reducing its internal thermostat, leading to poor sleep. — Samantha Lauriello, Health.com, "This Is the Best Temperature for Sleeping, According to Experts," 9 July 2019 This may have to do with your body's circadian rhythms, also know as your biological clock. — Samantha Lauriello, Health.com, "This Is the Best Temperature for Sleeping, According to Experts," 9 July 2019 Dear Readers: Looking at the bright light on your phone, or reading a book on your tablet or electronic reader at bedtime, can disrupt your natural sleep/wake cycle — your circadian rhythm. — Washington Post, "Hints From Heloise: Go away from the blue light," 2 July 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'circadian.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
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More Definitions for circadian
circadian
adjective
English Language Learners Definition of circadian
technical
: relating to the regular changes in a person or thing that happen in 24-hour periods
See the full definition for circadian in the English Language Learners Dictionary
circadian
adjective
cir·ca·di·an
| \ (ˌ)sər-ˈkad-ē-ən, -ˈkād-; ˌsər-kə-ˈdī-ən, -ˈdē-
\
\