new moon

noun

1

: the moon's phase when it is in conjunction with the sun so that its dark side is toward the earth

also : the thin crescent moon seen shortly after sunset for a few days after the actual occurrence of the new moon phase

2

: the beginning of each Jewish month marked by a special liturgy

Examples of new moon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

This can occur only during a new moon, when the moon is positioned in front of the sun. —Jamie Carter, Space.com, 7 Mar. 2025

This mini moment is always associated with either a full or new moon known as an apogee and marks the point when the moon is at its farthest distance from Earth (approximately 405,500 kilometers/252,088 miles away). —Skyler Caruso, People.com, 18 Feb. 2025

Fortunately, a new moon will rise on April 27; therefore, resulting in dark skies and increasing the chance of visibility. —Skyler Caruso, People.com, 8 Apr. 2025

At the end of the month, when a new moon is spotted, Muslims celebrate with Eid al-Fitr. —Julia Gomez, USA Today, 28 Mar. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for new moon

• attune
• baboon
• balloon
• bassoon
• buffoon
• cartoon
• cocoon
• festoon
• gaboon
• harpoon
• immune
• impugn

Kids Definition

new moon

noun

: the moon's phase when its dark side is toward the earth

also : the thin curved outline of the moon seen shortly after sunset for a few days after the actual occurrence of the new moon phase