over·night
ˌō-vər-ˈnīt 
1
a
: on the evening before
b
: during the night
stayed away overnight
2
: very quickly or suddenly
became famous overnight
over·night
ˌō-vər-ˈnīt
over·night
ˈō-vər-ˌnīt
ˌō-vər-ˈnīt
ˌō-vər-ˈnīt
overnighted; overnighting; overnights
: to stay overnight
: to send (something, such as a package or letter) by a mail service for delivery within one day's time
over·night
ˈō-vər-ˌnīt
: an overnight stay
Examples of overnight in a Sentence
Adverb
He stayed overnight and went home the next day.
Let the paint dry overnight.
The novel made her famous overnight.
Adjective
They went on an overnight bus trip.
Overnight guests are not allowed in the dormitory.
The show was an overnight success.
Recent Examples on the Web
Conor Murray, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
Highs will be in the mid 60s to lower 70s and overnight lows falling into the upper 30s to upper 40s, with some wind-chill factors making feels-like temperatures slightly lower.
—Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 30 Dec. 2024
Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Dec. 2024
Denver’s severe weather plan also opens recreation centers as warming locations during regular business hours and city officials may convert them into additional overnight shelters to make sure everyone can come inside when temperatures are unsafe.
—Lauren Penington, The Denver Post, 30 Dec. 2024
Christopher Elliott, USA TODAY, 20 Sep. 2024
Star Legend will sail 16 week-long cruises between Rome and Barcelona, visiting Florence and Pisa in Italy; Monte Carlo, Monaco (where the ship will overnight); and Marseille, France.
—Stefanie Waldek, Travel + Leisure, 25 Oct. 2023
Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 26 Dec. 2024
Maggie tests upward of a dozen pairs of hiking socks each year, including Merino and synthetic, on hikes and backpacking trips ranging from overnights to hundred-mile extended trips in all sorts of weather.
—Maggie Slepian, Travel + Leisure, 10 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for overnight 
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Adverb
Topline The northern lights may be brighter than usual in the northernmost states Monday night as the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration projects an unusually strong aurora borealis forecast, following a strong geomagnetic storm expected to take place overnight.
—Conor Murray, Forbes, 30 Dec. 2024
Highs will be in the mid 60s to lower 70s and overnight lows falling into the upper 30s to upper 40s, with some wind-chill factors making feels-like temperatures slightly lower.
—Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 30 Dec. 2024
Adjective
Intrepid travelers can do just that at the Wisconsin Maritime Museum, which has made its submarine, the USS Cobia, available for overnight stays.
—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 30 Dec. 2024
Denver’s severe weather plan also opens recreation centers as warming locations during regular business hours and city officials may convert them into additional overnight shelters to make sure everyone can come inside when temperatures are unsafe.
—Lauren Penington, The Denver Post, 30 Dec. 2024
Verb
My bank promised to overnight a new card to my address but then sent it to the wrong address – my U.S. residence instead of my Swiss address.
—Christopher Elliott, USA TODAY, 20 Sep. 2024
Star Legend will sail 16 week-long cruises between Rome and Barcelona, visiting Florence and Pisa in Italy; Monte Carlo, Monaco (where the ship will overnight); and Marseille, France.
—Stefanie Waldek, Travel + Leisure, 25 Oct. 2023
Noun
According to Nielsen’s fast nationals (overnights), the NBA’s five holiday telecasts averaged 5.25 million viewers, with the Los Angeles Lakers vs. Golden State Warriors tilt leading the way with 7.76 million viewers.
—Jason Clinkscales, Sportico.com, 26 Dec. 2024
Maggie tests upward of a dozen pairs of hiking socks each year, including Merino and synthetic, on hikes and backpacking trips ranging from overnights to hundred-mile extended trips in all sorts of weather.
—Maggie Slepian, Travel + Leisure, 10 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for overnight
Dictionary Entries Near overnight
Cite this Entry
“Overnight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overnight. Accessed 7 Jan. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
overnight
1 of 2 adverb
over·night
ˌō-vər-ˈnīt
1
: on or during the evening or night
stayed away overnight
2
: very quickly or suddenly
became famous overnight
overnight
2 of 2 adjective1
: of, lasting, or staying the night
overnight trip
an overnight guest
2
: sudden sense 1
overnight stardom
3
: traveling during the night
an overnight train
4
: delivered within one day's time
overnight mail
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