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

The Lunar New Year usually falls on the second new moon after the winter solstice and between the spring equinox during the months of either January or February. —Skyler Caruso, People.com, 29 Jan. 2025

The Lunar New Year occurs on the second new moon that follows the Winter Solstice, which means the date changes from year to year and can typically fall anywhere from Jan. 21 to Feb. 20. —Brett Tingley, Space.com, 29 Jan. 2025

The Aquarius new moon encourages a period of letting go. —USA TODAY, 29 Jan. 2025

Why Ramadan 2025 Ends With A Solar Eclipse Saturday, Mar. 29 — the date of March's new moon — is the year's first solar eclipse. —Jamie Carter, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

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

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