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
Brendan Ahern, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
Hoffman family releases update after Minnesota shooting Boelter, who was arrested overnight near his farm in Green Isle, Minnesota, is facing federal charges including stalking and firearms charges and state charges including first-degree murder, officials said.
—Kevin Shalvey, ABC News, 16 June 2025
Larry Olmsted, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
Ukraine’s capital city Kyiv on Tuesday was hit with a barrage of Russian drones and missiles, killing at least 10 people in an overnight assault that marked the deadliest attack on the capital in almost a year.
—Mathias Hammer, semafor.com, 17 June 2025
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
Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 27 May 2025
Reservations are required, and to really amp it up, book an overnight.
—Moira McCarthy, Boston Herald, 11 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for overnight
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Adverb
Key News Asian equities exhibited resiliency overnight despite escalating tensions in the Middle East.
—Brendan Ahern, Forbes.com, 16 June 2025
Hoffman family releases update after Minnesota shooting Boelter, who was arrested overnight near his farm in Green Isle, Minnesota, is facing federal charges including stalking and firearms charges and state charges including first-degree murder, officials said.
—Kevin Shalvey, ABC News, 16 June 2025
Adjective
The Dolomites have an incredible selection of high-altitude rifugios, or restaurants, many of the them stunningly gourmet and many with overnight accommodations, dotted throughout the region’s peaks.
—Larry Olmsted, Forbes.com, 17 June 2025
Ukraine’s capital city Kyiv on Tuesday was hit with a barrage of Russian drones and missiles, killing at least 10 people in an overnight assault that marked the deadliest attack on the capital in almost a year.
—Mathias Hammer, semafor.com, 17 June 2025
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
However, because of cuts, six offices no longer have enough meteorologists to staff the 11 p.m. to 6 a.m. overnight shift, according to the National Weather Service Employees Organization.
—Robert A. Cronkleton, Kansas City Star, 27 May 2025
Reservations are required, and to really amp it up, book an overnight.
—Moira McCarthy, Boston Herald, 11 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for overnight
Cite this Entry
“Overnight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overnight. Accessed 22 Jun. 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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