nightcap

noun

night·​cap ˈnīt-ˌkap How to pronounce nightcap (audio)
1
: a cloth cap worn with nightclothes
2
: a usually alcoholic drink taken at the end of the day
3
: the final race or contest of a day's sports
especially : the second game of a baseball doubleheader

Examples of nightcap 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.
In the nightcap, Rory McIlroy and Boston Common Golf continued to struggle, losing 6-3 to Atlanta Drive GC to fall to 0-3-1 on the season. Troy Finnegan‎, Newsweek, 26 Feb. 2025 The nightcap meant nothing to either the Americans or Swedes: The U.S. had already clinched a spot in Thursday night’s championship game against Canada, which beat Finland earlier Monday, and Sweden needed Canada to falter to have a chance of making the final. Jimmy Golen, Chicago Tribune, 18 Feb. 2025 The bartender at Salmon River Brewery closed after serving us dinner (chicken potpie, $16) and joined us down the block at the 1947 Foresters bar for a nightcap. Elaine Glusac, New York Times, 18 Feb. 2025 Burnsville followed the win by getting swept by Shakopee in a doubleheader April 13, falling 5-1 in the first game and 3-0 in the nightcap. Tom Schardin, Twin Cities, 7 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for nightcap

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of nightcap was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Nightcap.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nightcap. Accessed 5 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

nightcap

noun
night·​cap ˈnīt-ˌkap How to pronounce nightcap (audio)
1
: a cap worn with nightclothes
2
: a drink taken at bedtime
3
: the final race or contest of a day's sports activities

More from Merriam-Webster on nightcap

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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