bedtime

noun

bed·​time ˈbed-ˌtīm How to pronounce bedtime (audio)
: a time for going to bed

Examples of bedtime in a Sentence

The children are still up? It's way past their bedtimes.
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.
Those who take insulin or another medication to treat type 1 diabetes may occasionally need to eat a snack before bedtime in order to prevent or treat low blood sugar, according to the Mayo Clinic. Hannah Yasharoff, USA Today, 25 June 2025 Make small changes to improve your sleep habits, such as going to bed slightly earlier each night or staying off your phone before bedtime. Vanessa Caceres, Verywell Health, 23 June 2025 Winter also encourages people to spend less time in bed outside of sleeping and to avoid using blue light screens before bedtime. Elise Devlin, New York Times, 19 June 2025 Many parents know the struggle of trying to stay awake during their toddler's bedtime routine, and one dad was caught falling asleep by his own daughter—who made sure to bring receipts. Alyce Collins, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for bedtime

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bedtime was in the 13th century

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Cite this Entry

“Bedtime.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bedtime. Accessed 1 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

bedtime

noun
bed·​time ˈbed-ˌtīm How to pronounce bedtime (audio)
: time to go to bed
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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