nightcap

noun

night·​cap ˈnīt-ˌkap How to pronounce nightcap (audio)
1
: a cloth cap worn with nightclothes
2
: a usually alcoholic drink taken at the end of the day
3
: the final race or contest of a day's sports
especially : the second game of a baseball doubleheader

Examples of nightcap in a Sentence

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.
Morning coffees, cabernet nightcaps, and neighborhood gatherings by firelight. Miles Walls, Southern Living, 18 Jan. 2025 Be sure to take in the city’s captivating skyline by wrapping up your evenings with a nightcap on the private balcony. Erika Owen, Architectural Digest, 16 Jan. 2025 And for those who just want to keep the vibes close by, the hotel has its own late night speakeasy with music and signature cocktails, which makes for a great pregame or nightcap spot. Rafael Peña, Miami Herald, 10 Jan. 2025 And in the nightcap, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander’s 32 points powered the Oklahoma City Thunder past the Houston Rockets 111-96. Joe Vardon, The Athletic, 15 Dec. 2024 See all Example Sentences for nightcap 

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

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

Dictionary Entries Near nightcap

Cite this Entry

“Nightcap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nightcap. Accessed 26 Jan. 2025.

Kids Definition

nightcap

noun
night·​cap ˈnīt-ˌkap How to pronounce nightcap (audio)
1
: a cap worn with nightclothes
2
: a drink taken at bedtime
3
: the final race or contest of a day's sports activities

More from Merriam-Webster on nightcap

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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