eleventh hour

noun

: the latest possible time before it is too late

still making changes at the eleventh hour

Examples of eleventh hour in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Hong ultimately lost the primary election to Crowley by less than a percentage point following Barnes’s withdrawal from the race at the eleventh hour. — Hailey Bullis, The Washington Examiner, 22 Oct. 2026

When Weber refused — saying the DOJ had refused to share its methodology and waited until the eleventh hour to act — the DOJ sued. — Ben Paviour, Sacbee.com, 22 Oct. 2026

In the past, Palestinian leaders have postponed elections at the eleventh hour, citing challenges including campaigning and voting in East Jerusalem. — Abby Sewell, Los Angeles Times, 8 Oct. 2026

Civil litigation can drag on for years, frequently ending in settlements reached at the eleventh hour, just before a trial begins. — Nancy Dillon, Rolling Stone, 21 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1772, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for eleventh hour

• candlepower
• cauliflower
• overpower
• superpower
• vavasour
• waterpower
• airpower
• brainpower
• devour
• empower
• firepower
• horsepower