nighttime

noun

night·​time ˈnīt-ˌtīm How to pronounce nighttime (audio)
often attributive
: the time from dusk to dawn

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
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.
Sunbathers who like to chase beach days with nighttime carousing will find pristine sands (Tamarindo has been awarded Costa Rica’s Blue Flag for eco-friendly practices) and plenty of restaurants and bars a short stroll away. AFAR Media, 11 July 2025 Three years later, it’s earned a permanent spot in my nighttime skincare routine. Amelia McBride, Travel + Leisure, 11 July 2025 Freeform’s The Bold Type has just the right mix of goofiness and treacle for this gal’s smooth, hopeful nighttime brain. Brittany Allen, Literary Hub, 11 July 2025 City officials are extending a restriction on Red Bikes, as well as Bird and Lime electric scooters, during the nighttime hours in response to a spike in crime in Cincinnati's urban core. Quinlan Bentley, The Enquirer, 10 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for nighttime

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

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

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nighttime.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nighttime. Accessed 14 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

nighttime

noun
night·​time ˈnīt-ˌtīm How to pronounce nighttime (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on nighttime

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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