nighttime

noun

night·​time ˈnīt-ˌtīm How to pronounce nighttime (audio)
Synonyms of nighttimenext
often attributive
: the time from dusk to dawn

Synonyms of nighttime

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Examples of nighttime in a Sentence

The animal hunts in the nighttime. before electricity, gas lamps were used for illumination during the nighttime
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 Russian nighttime barrage hit 28 substations and other critical energy facilities, depriving more than a half-million people of electricity, heat and running water, Zelenskyy said on social media. — Samya Kullab, Arkansas Online, 20 Oct. 2026 Russian barrage kills a 21-year-old woman The Russian nighttime barrage hit 28 substations and other crucial energy facilities, depriving more than half a million people of electricity, heat and running water, Zelensky said on social media. — Samya Kullab, Los Angeles Times, 19 Oct. 2026 As previously reported, the upcoming season will take place in Jamaica Bay, New York — far from Alaska’s perpetual nighttime in Season 4 — and will begin filming in 2027. — Daniel Kreps, Rolling Stone, 17 Oct. 2026 The satellite was equipped with a Visible/Infrared Spin Scan Radiometer (VISSR) to capture Earth observations in daylight and nighttime to track clouds and surface temperature. — Tariq Malik, Space.com, 16 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for nighttime

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nighttime was in the 14th century

Rhymes for nighttime

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Browse Nearby Words

nighttide
nighttime
night vision
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Cite this Entry

“Nighttime.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nighttime. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

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Kids Definition

nighttime

noun
night·​time ˈnīt-ˌtīm How to pronounce nighttime (audio)
: the time from dusk to dawn
nighttime adjective

Legal Definition

nighttime

noun
night·​time
1
: the time from dusk to dawn
2
: a statutorily set period usually beginning shortly after dusk and ending shortly after dawn
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