Phrase guide

sleeper cell

noun · 2 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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No pronunciation record was provided for this word.

1

noun

Meaning 1

A group of people (sleepers) who inconspicuously remain dormant in a community until activated, by a prearranged signal, in order to perform acts of espionage, sabotage, or terrorism.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

a cell of sleepers

Definition source: Princeton WordNet 3.0

Examples

  • an al-Qaeda sleeper cell may have used Arizona as its base

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

Broader terms: cell, cadre

History

Etymology

No etymology was provided for this word.

Across languages

Translations

8 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • Chinese Mandarin: 潛伏小組 /潜伏小组 (qiánfú xiǎozǔ) — group of people who remain dormant in a community until activated
  • Finnish: nukkuva solu — group of people who remain dormant in a community until activated
  • French: cellule dormante — group of people who remain dormant in a community until activated
  • German: Schläferzelle — group of people who remain dormant in a community until activated
  • Icelandic: svefnsella — group of people who remain dormant in a community until activated
  • Portuguese: célula adormecida — group of people who remain dormant in a community until activated
  • Portuguese: célula dormente — group of people who remain dormant in a community until activated
  • Russian: спя́щая яче́йка (spjáščaja jačéjka) — group of people who remain dormant in a community until activated