midnight

noun

mid·​night ˈmid-ˌnīt How to pronounce midnight (audio)
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 next puzzle will be available at midnight in your time zone. Mark Cooper, New York Times, 20 June 2025 Voting will remain open until Sunday, June 22 at midnight. Ashley Fredde, Idaho Statesman, 19 June 2025 Connecticut is best known on license plates as the Constitution state, but beginning today at midnight, the plate themes will get more tempting. Bill Field, Hartford Courant, 19 June 2025 On Thursday at 2:50 p.m. a red flag warning was released by the NWS Reno NV in effect until Saturday at midnight for Southern Mono County and Eastern Lassen County. Ca Weather Bot, Sacbee.com, 19 June 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Midnight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/midnight. Accessed 25 Jun. 2025.

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

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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