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

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 mountain cams showed a blob of headlamp light near the summit at midnight, above the last rocky section on the Stüdlgrat. — William Finnegan, New Yorker, 29 June 2026 As midnight neared on Monday, rescuers pulled Dariana’s body from the mound of debris that had once been her home. — Mery Mogollón, Los Angeles Times, 30 June 2026 And Bogan Bogdanovic agreed to terms with Houston just before midnight. — Anthony Chiang, Miami Herald, 1 July 2026 Carroll was among the first people to bring a suit under the temporary law shortly after midnight on Thanksgiving in 2022. — Molly Crane-Newman, New York Daily News, 29 June 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 7 Jul. 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

Nglish: Translation of midnight for Spanish Speakers

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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