Definition, Meaning & Synonyms

oscitation

noun

os-uh-tey-shun

Definition

The action of yawning; also refers to a state of drowsiness or an involuntary act of yawning.

Examples

After a long lecture, many students were seen in a state of oscitation.
The frequent oscitation of the audience during the presentation indicated that the speaker needed to change his approach.

Meaning

Oscitation describes both the physical act of yawning and the state of being sleepy or inattentive. It can be used to indicate a moment when someone is not fully engaged in their surroundings, often caused by tiredness or boredom.