midnight

noun

mid·​night ˈmid-ˌnīt 

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

The next Connections puzzle will be available from The New York Times on Tuesday at midnight in your local time zone. —Raja Krishnamoorthi, Newsweek, 16 Dec. 2024

Starts with a four-course dinner, and continues with a party in the Waterford Room with a DJ, dessert display, a complimentary champagne toast at midnight and a balloon drop to ring in 2025. —Gege Reed, The Courier-Journal, 16 Dec. 2024

Freezing rain, expected from midnight to early Sunday, with snow and sleet in the mix, could lead to ice accumulations. —Mike Snider, USA TODAY, 14 Dec. 2024

The next puzzle will be available at midnight in your time zone. —Mark Cooper, The Athletic, 14 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing midnight

• burn the midnight oil
• midnight blue
• midnight sun
• the midnight hour

Kids Definition

midnight

noun

mid·​night ˈmid-ˌnīt 

: 12 o'clock at night

midnight adjective