1. n. a drug that helps induce and sustain sleep by increasing drowsiness and reducing motor activity. In general, hypnotics differ from sedatives only in terms of the dose administered, with higher doses used to produce sleep or anesthesia and lower doses to produce sedation or relieve anxiety. Benzodiazepines are among the most widely prescribed hypnotics; antihistamines and other agents are used to lesser degrees. Newer, nonbenzodiazepine hypnotics, such as eszopiclone, zolpidem, and zaleplon, are achieving clinical currency because of the relative infrequency of adverse side effects.

2. adj. pertaining to hypnosis or sleep.