Twelfth Night

noun

: the evening or sometimes the eve of Epiphany

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web Cowboy Bebop is performing the anime like a theater class might perform Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. Cecilia D'anastasio, Wired, 19 Nov. 2021 Instead, high-school students should read another love story, Shakespeare’s finest comedy, Twelfth Night. Sarah Schutte, National Review, 6 Sep. 2021 Even before Twelfth Night, Maurice French Pastries had shipped king cakes to people in 39 states. Ian Mcnulty | Staff Writer, NOLA.com, 4 Jan. 2021 The Twelve Days of Christmas, also known as Christmastide and Twelvetide, is a festive season that starts on Christmas Day, Dec. 25, and ends on Jan. 5, known as the Twelfth Night, when Christmas decorations and trees are traditionally taken down. Richard Lederer, San Diego Union-Tribune, 26 Dec. 2020 In the Middle Ages, Christianity appropriated the tradition for the festival of the Epiphany, also known as Three Kings’ Day. Also known as Twelfth Night, Three Kings’ Day marks the start of the Carnival season each year on January 6. Emanuella Grinberg, CNN, 20 Feb. 2023 Since 1867, Galveston has hosted a rapidly growing Carnival celebration, launching on Twelfth Night and wrapping up on Fat Tuesday. Kayla Stewart, Chron, 10 Feb. 2023 The name, which was derived from the Latin word for peace, received a big boost in popularity back in the day when none other than William Shakespeare used it for a character in his comedy, Twelfth Night. Jill Gleeson, Country Living, 30 Jan. 2023 Carnival season in New Orleans officially kicks off every year on Twelfth Night (which marks the Epiphany) when a group called the Phunny Phorty Phellows rides down St. Charles in a streetcar throwing out the first beads. Cameron Jenkins, Good Housekeeping, 24 Jan. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Twelfth Night.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Twelfth Night was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near Twelfth Night

Cite this Entry

“Twelfth Night.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Twelfth%20Night. Accessed 8 Jun. 2023.

Kids Definition

Twelfth Night

noun
: the evening or sometimes the eve of Epiphany
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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