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
Annie Zaleski, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Dec. 2024
Especially at mountains that rely on older generations of snowmaking machines, there may only be a few hours overnight to put down artificial powder, which limits how quickly more terrain can be opened.
—Zach Wichter, USA TODAY, 22 Dec. 2024
Todd Karpovich, Baltimore Sun, 25 Dec. 2024
The plaza surrounding the glass cube is the scene of sometimes overnight lines that wrap around the store ahead of big product launches.
—Zach Schiffman, Curbed, 24 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
Maggie Slepian, Travel + Leisure, 10 Dec. 2024
Iliana Velez, 19, was working overnights at an Amazon facility to pay for college.
—Jose Sanchez, CBS News, 2 Dec. 2024
See all Example Sentences for overnight 
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Adverb
Super-fans can now stay overnight in an upstairs or downstairs suite in the Bumpus house and a loft in Ralphie’s house.
—Annie Zaleski, The Hollywood Reporter, 23 Dec. 2024
Especially at mountains that rely on older generations of snowmaking machines, there may only be a few hours overnight to put down artificial powder, which limits how quickly more terrain can be opened.
—Zach Wichter, USA TODAY, 22 Dec. 2024
Adjective
A number of warming shelters will be open during the day, and residents seeking overnight shelter can contact the city’s shelter hotline at 443-984-9540.
—Todd Karpovich, Baltimore Sun, 25 Dec. 2024
The plaza surrounding the glass cube is the scene of sometimes overnight lines that wrap around the store ahead of big product launches.
—Zach Schiffman, Curbed, 24 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
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
Iliana Velez, 19, was working overnights at an Amazon facility to pay for college.
—Jose Sanchez, CBS News, 2 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 31 Dec. 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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