new moon

noun

1
: the moon's phase when it is in conjunction with the sun so that its dark side is toward the earth
also : the thin crescent moon seen shortly after sunset for a few days after the actual occurrence of the new moon phase
2
: the beginning of each Jewish month marked by a special liturgy

Examples of new moon in a Sentence

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.
All of this culminates with a new moon in Virgo on September 10, which is the perfect blank slate on which to launch the next phase of your professional growth. — Steph Koyfman, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Aug. 2026 This is because solar eclipses can only happen during a new moon, and lunar eclipses during a full moon, as the Earth, moon and sun line up. — Adriana Pérez, Chicago Tribune, 27 Aug. 2026 There was quiet and a new moon, black as soot outside, and far above the Earth, Betelgeuse was burning. — Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2026 August's total solar eclipse occurred as the moon passed directly between the sun and Earth during its monthly new moon phase. — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 18 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for new moon

Word History

First Known Use

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

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

Rhymes for new moon

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Browse Nearby Words

new-model
new moon
new Negro
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Cite this Entry

“New moon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/new%20moon. Accessed 4 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

new moon

noun
: the moon's phase when its dark side is toward the earth
also : the thin curved outline of the moon seen shortly after sunset for a few days after the actual occurrence of the new moon phase

More from Merriam-Webster on new moon

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about new moon

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