bedtime

noun

bed·​time ˈbed-ˌtīm How to pronounce bedtime (audio)
: a time for going to bed

Examples of bedtime in a Sentence

The children are still up? It's way past their bedtimes.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Sometimes, long after a sensible bedtime, the sun would break through the cloud for the first time that day. — Holden Frith, TheWeek, 4 Sep. 2026 For hundreds of thousands of years, our species has enjoyed the warmth and protection of a good fire before bedtime. — Mike McRae 02, New Atlas, 3 Sep. 2026 Experts recommend gradually shifting bedtime and wake-up schedules one to two weeks before school begins, creating screen-free bedtime routines and ensuring children get age-appropriate sleep each night. — Gabby Sartori, USA Today, 3 Sep. 2026 Experts, viral bedtime routines and a growing lineup of sleep-tracking wearables are all part of the same movement pushing sleep from passive recovery into an active performance category. — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 3 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for bedtime

Word History

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of bedtime was in the 13th century

Phrases Containing bedtime

Rhymes for bedtime

See All Rhymes for bedtime

Browse Nearby Words

bed timber
bedtime
bedtime story
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Bedtime.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/bedtime. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

bedtime

noun
bed·​time ˈbed-ˌtīm How to pronounce bedtime (audio)
: time to go to bed
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of gist

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All