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
Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 12 Dec. 2024
The blaze spread overnight, fueled by strong Santa Ana winds up to 50 mph and low humidity.
—Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024
Ahjané Forbes, USA TODAY, 14 Dec. 2024
Rovaniemi counted a record 1.2 million overnight visitors in 2023, almost 30% growth on 2022, after rebounding from pandemic travel disruptions.
—CNN, 13 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
Vulture Editors, Vulture, 13 Dec. 2024
Chicago’s winter overnight parking ban begins at 3 a.m. Sunday.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 29 Nov. 2024
See all Example Sentences for overnight 
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Adverb
Where and what time to watch the Geminid meteor shower
The Geminid meteor shower is expected to peak overnight on Friday and Saturday nights, according to EarthSky.org.
—Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 12 Dec. 2024
The blaze spread overnight, fueled by strong Santa Ana winds up to 50 mph and low humidity.
—Julia Gomez, USA TODAY, 12 Dec. 2024
Adjective
American Airlines said the passengers were provided overnight hotel accommodations Thursday and the flight departed Friday, landing at Charlotte Douglas International Airport just before noon ET.
—Ahjané Forbes, USA TODAY, 14 Dec. 2024
Rovaniemi counted a record 1.2 million overnight visitors in 2023, almost 30% growth on 2022, after rebounding from pandemic travel disruptions.
—CNN, 13 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
Whether the Malcolm in the Middle Revival will be any good is anyone’s guess.
overnights Yesterday at 3:10 p.m.
—Vulture Editors, Vulture, 13 Dec. 2024
Chicago’s winter overnight parking ban begins at 3 a.m. Sunday.
—Kori Rumore, Chicago Tribune, 29 Nov. 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 22 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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