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
New Atlas, 25 Oct. 2024
When Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible named Suntory’s Yamazaki Single Malt Sherry Cask 2013 the best whisky in the world in 2015, Japanese whisky became popular and famous overnight.
—Akiko Katayama, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024
Weike Wang, The Atlantic, 26 Oct. 2024
Guests are treated to overnight lodging at some of the best hotels in the world — including Fairmont properties across Canada, Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh, The Imperial in Delhi, Queen Victoria Hotel in Cape Town, and the Intercontinental hotels in Paris and Rome.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 25 Oct. 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
Don Lee, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2024
Southwest said that its first overnight, redeye flights will land on Feb. 14, 2025 in nonstop markets that include Las Vegas to Orlando and Baltimore; Los Angeles to Baltimore and Nashville; and Phoenix to Baltimore.
—Staff and Wire Reports, Orlando Sentinel, 25 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for overnight 
Adverb
Hiking is one of the most popular outdoor activities, and it's estimated over a hundred thousand hikers are issued overnight permits from various state and national parks each year.
—New Atlas, 25 Oct. 2024
When Jim Murray’s Whisky Bible named Suntory’s Yamazaki Single Malt Sherry Cask 2013 the best whisky in the world in 2015, Japanese whisky became popular and famous overnight.
—Akiko Katayama, Forbes, 25 Oct. 2024
Adjective
After an overnight in emergency and two days in the ward, he was discharged.
—Weike Wang, The Atlantic, 26 Oct. 2024
Guests are treated to overnight lodging at some of the best hotels in the world — including Fairmont properties across Canada, Balmoral Hotel in Edinburgh, The Imperial in Delhi, Queen Victoria Hotel in Cape Town, and the Intercontinental hotels in Paris and Rome.
—Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 25 Oct. 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
The Fed’s benchmark overnight lending rate influences a variety of business and consumer loans.
—Don Lee, Los Angeles Times, 18 Sep. 2024
Southwest said that its first overnight, redeye flights will land on Feb. 14, 2025 in nonstop markets that include Las Vegas to Orlando and Baltimore; Los Angeles to Baltimore and Nashville; and Phoenix to Baltimore.
—Staff and Wire Reports, Orlando Sentinel, 25 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for overnight
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'overnight.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near overnight
Cite this Entry
“Overnight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overnight. Accessed 5 Nov. 2024.
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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