nightcap

noun

night·​cap ˈnīt-ˌkap How to pronounce nightcap (audio)
1
: a cloth cap worn with nightclothes
2
: a usually alcoholic drink taken at the end of the day
3
: the final race or contest of a day's sports
especially : the second game of a baseball doubleheader

Examples of nightcap in a Sentence

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.
From gruyere popovers and sizzling chops at BLT Steak, which is widely considered one of Seoul’s best steakhouses, to live jazz and nightcaps at Griffin, the hotel’s 11th-floor lounge, there’s plenty for grown-ups to savor during a family vacation at JW Marriott Dongdaemun Square Seoul. Katie Chang, Forbes.com, 16 July 2025 On the ground floor, don’t miss the patio bar, which is a cheerful spot for a coffee and cornetto in the morning or a cozy nightcap. Nicole Kliest, Vogue, 16 July 2025 The nightcap, so to speak, is a celebrity softball scrimmage. Steven Louis Goldstein, New York Times, 11 July 2025 The Warriors will play the Trail Blazers in the nightcap at 8 p.m. PT. Joseph Dycus, Mercury News, 10 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for nightcap

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of nightcap was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Nightcap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nightcap. Accessed 25 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

nightcap

noun
night·​cap ˈnīt-ˌkap How to pronounce nightcap (audio)
1
: a cap worn with nightclothes
2
: a drink taken at bedtime
3
: the final race or contest of a day's sports activities

More from Merriam-Webster on nightcap

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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