nighttime

noun

night·​time ˈnīt-ˌtīm 

often attributive

: the time from dusk to dawn

Synonyms

• dark
• darkness
• night

Examples of nighttime in a Sentence

The animal hunts in the nighttime.

before electricity, gas lamps were used for illumination during the nighttime

Recent Examples on the Web

Having consistent cues before bed can play a large role in your nighttime routine. —Karina Zaiets, USA TODAY, 9 Dec. 2024

Five all-new experiences will also debut in 2025, including a new nighttime parade first revealed at this summer’s D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event and a new Pirates of the Caribbean inspired tavern announced last year. —Eve Chen, The Courier-Journal, 4 Dec. 2024

Expert stargazing tips for a safe and spectacular nighttime adventure. —Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 3 Dec. 2024

Specifically, Navin mentioned that the first sectors to feel AI's impact would likely include roles humans typically avoid, such as nighttime monitoring or routine checks (e.g., monitoring for IT hacks or follow-up calls in healthcare settings). —Taarini Kaur Dang, Forbes, 29 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

nighttime

noun

night·​time ˈnīt-ˌtīm 

: the time from dusk to dawn

nighttime adjective

Legal Definition

nighttime

noun

night·​time

1

: the time from dusk to dawn

2

: a statutorily set period usually beginning shortly after dusk and ending shortly after dawn