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

Under ideal dark sky conditions, observers can expect to see anywhere from 50 to 100 meteors an hour during the peak, with activity building after midnight and continuing until dawn. — Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Aug. 2026

Authorities say Gallardo-Reyes was driving a Toyota Venza through city streets, and crashed into Gonzalez-Guzman’s Honda near Railroad and Bliss avenues about 20 minutes after midnight on July 9. — Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 11 Aug. 2026

East Hampton Town police responded to a 911 call from a man reporting a woman unconscious on a boat docked around midnight the day she was pronounced dead, according to last year’s statement. — Matt Lavietes, NBC news, 11 Aug. 2026

Investigators said the wife and husband were shot feet from their home's doorstep near the intersection of 24th and Somerset streets, just after midnight Monday. — Stephanie Ballesteros, CBS News, 10 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