midnight

noun

mid·​night ˈmid-ˌnīt 

1

: the middle of the night

specifically : 12 o'clock at night

2

: deep or extended darkness or gloom

midnight adjective

midnightly adverb or adjective

Examples of midnight in a Sentence

Her parents wanted her home before midnight.

It was 12 midnight when we arrived home.

Recent Examples on the Web

Mandico’s Roma Elastica, a France-Italy co-production starring Marion Cotillard and Noémie Merlant, a midnight screening in Cannes this year, will have its German premiere in Oldenburg. — Scott Roxborough, HollywoodReporter, 18 Aug. 2026

The development comes as automakers also prepare for new Canadian tariffs set to take effect at midnight, adding another layer of uncertainty for an industry already dealing with rising costs and shifting consumer demand. — Gino Vicci, CBS News, 18 Aug. 2026

Blogic compiled its ranking by analyzing how many restaurants in each city stay open past midnight, and how well diners rated their meals. — Stacey Leasca, Travel + Leisure, 17 Aug. 2026

All the victims were hospitalized, and were in stable condition as of midnight, according to DiMartino. — Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 16 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing midnight

• burn the midnight oil
• midnight blue
• midnight sun
• the midnight hour

Rhymes for midnight

• affright
• airtight
• albite
• alight
• alright
• aplite
• aright
• bainite
• birthright
• bobwhite
• bornite
• bullfight

Kids Definition

midnight

noun

mid·​night ˈmid-ˌnīt 

: 12 o'clock at night

midnight adjective