midnight

noun

mid·​night ˈmid-ˌnīt How to pronounce midnight (audio)
Synonyms of midnightnext
1
: the middle of the night
specifically : 12 o'clock at night
2
: deep or extended darkness or gloom
midnight adjective
midnightly adverb or adjective
see also:
burn the midnight oil

Examples of midnight in a Sentence

Her parents wanted her home before midnight. It was 12 midnight when we arrived home.
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.
Saturn is evident for much of the night, appearing low in the eastern sky as the sky darkens and reaching its highest point in the southern sky soon after midnight. — Joe Rao, Space.com, 1 Sep. 2026 But a conversation, however intelligent, cannot ticket a multi-carrier itinerary, process a refund or rebook a family when a flight is canceled at midnight. — Dana Dunne, Forbes.com, 1 Sep. 2026 The attack took place around midnight in Los Patios, a town on Colombia’s border with Venezuela that is also part of the Cucuta metropolitan area. — ABC News, 1 Sep. 2026 Shortly before midnight, the crew beat out a fifty-acre fire that was smoldering delicately through lush green tundra. — M. R. O’Connor, New Yorker, 31 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for midnight

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of midnight was before the 12th century

Phrases Containing midnight

Rhymes for midnight

See All Rhymes for midnight

Browse Nearby Words

Midn
midnight
midnight appointment
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Midnight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/midnight. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

midnight

noun
mid·​night ˈmid-ˌnīt How to pronounce midnight (audio)
: 12 o'clock at night
midnight adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on midnight

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for midnight

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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