nighttime

noun

night·​time ˈnīt-ˌtīm 

often attributive

: the time from dusk to dawn

Synonyms of nighttime

• night

Examples of nighttime in a Sentence

The animal hunts in the nighttime.

before electricity, gas lamps were used for illumination during the nighttime

Recent Examples on the Web

Gu recommends seven to eight hours of good-quality nighttime sleep and naps of 30 minutes or less when needed. —Emily Kay Votruba, EverydayHealth.com, 15 June 2026

Monitoring outside temperatures may help too; if nighttime is significantly cooler outside than the day, open the windows, remove the curtains, position your fans, and let the refreshing get to you as quickly and efficiently as possible. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 15 June 2026

It can be worn as an understated top-handle bag, with plenty of polish for day or nighttime outings, or crossbody with the long removable strap. —Olivia Cigliano, InStyle, 13 June 2026

Power and Light, things are popping at nighttime as well. —Kansas City Star, 10 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for nighttime

• airtime
• bedtime
• daytime
• downtime
• enzyme
• halftime
• lifetime
• longtime
• lunchtime
• mealtime
• meantime
• noontime

Kids Definition

nighttime

noun

night·​time ˈnīt-ˌtīm 

: the time from dusk to dawn

nighttime adjective

Legal Definition

nighttime

noun

night·​time

1

: the time from dusk to dawn

2

: a statutorily set period usually beginning shortly after dusk and ending shortly after dawn