midnight

noun

mid·​night ˈmid-ˌnīt How to pronounce midnight (audio)
Synonyms of midnightnext
1
: the middle of the night
specifically : 12 o'clock at night
2
: deep or extended darkness or gloom
midnight adjective
midnightly adverb or adjective
see also:
burn the midnight oil

Examples of midnight in a Sentence

Her parents wanted her home before midnight. It was 12 midnight when we arrived home.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The restriction was reportedly scheduled to remain in place until midnight Thursday. — Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 29 Oct. 2026 That’s how, about midnight on November 4–5, royal guards walked in on Fawkes ready to set Parliament ablaze. — Lucia Barnum, Encyclopedia Britannica, 29 Oct. 2026 For her, the biggest challenge is navigating the crowds in order to make it to the Shibuya Station and not miss the last train of the night, which departs around midnight. — Lilit Marcus, CNN Money, 29 Oct. 2026 Focus is now on the results of some 600,000 absentee ballots, accounting for 10% of the votes and cast mainly by Israeli military personnel, the counting of which will begin at midnight local time. — Max Goldbart, Deadline, 28 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for midnight

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of midnight was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing midnight

Rhymes for midnight

See All Rhymes for midnight

Browse Nearby Words

Midn
midnight
midnight appointment
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Midnight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/midnight. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Kids Definition

midnight

noun
mid·​night ˈmid-ˌnīt How to pronounce midnight (audio)
: 12 o'clock at night
midnight adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on midnight

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for midnight

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