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

see also:

burn the midnight oil

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

Buckmaster shared a statement just before midnight on Monday, September 7, announcing the results of his collaboration with Alpöge. — Konstantin Kakaes, Quanta Magazine, 8 Sep. 2026

Canada's latest tariffs on American products went into effect at midnight. — Brittney Melton, NPR, 8 Sep. 2026

The California Highway Patrol recommended motorists use Folsom Boulevard to bypass the closure, which followed a fatal shooting involving officers on the freeway just west of Hazel Avenue shortly after midnight. — Sacbee.com, 8 Sep. 2026

Bullock, Kidman and their co-stars imbibed real booze while filming the memorable midnight margaritas scene. — Ryan Gajewski, HollywoodReporter, 7 Sep. 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