midnight

noun

mid·​night ˈmid-ˌnīt 

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

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

The agreement avoids the shutdown that was slated to begin at midnight on Sept. 30, ensuring Americans retain access to crucial government services and sidestepping an embarrassing political blunder with just weeks until the presidential election. —Riley Beggin, USA TODAY, 22 Sep. 2024

Lunch breaks lingered, fires at camp (normally a rare, if ever, event on a long trail) and our nightly group read-alouds of Louie L’Amour westerns went until midnight. —Jac Mitchell, Outdoor Life, 19 Sep. 2024

The rink will be open through March 2, from 8 a.m. - 10 p.m. daily, with hours extended until midnight during peak holiday season. —Melissa Kravitz Hoeffner, Forbes, 20 Sep. 2024

Typically, within an hour or two of midnight tends to be the best time, according to NOAA. —Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 19 Sep. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

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

Phrases Containing midnight

• burn the midnight oil
• midnight blue
• midnight sun
• the midnight hour

Kids Definition

midnight

noun

mid·​night ˈmid-ˌnīt 

: 12 o'clock at night

midnight adjective