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

Pittsburgh Public Safety officials said the officer crashed in the area of Arlington Avenue and Josephine Street just after midnight while searching for a domestic violence suspect who had fled from police. —Mike Darnay, CBS News, 5 Jan. 2026

Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy advised airlines on Saturday that Caribbean airspace curbs would expire at midnight, paving the way for a resumption of air travel to the region on Sunday. —Phil Helsel, NBC news, 4 Jan. 2026

The striking midnight iris shade is 40 percent off right now, and can transition effortlessly from a morning workout to airport lounges and even a hiking trip thanks to the second-skin feel that provides optimal movement and all-day comfort. —Julia Morlino, Travel + Leisure, 4 Jan. 2026

Thousands of Chicagoans braved the cold to celebrate New Year’s Eve at the corner of Wacker and Franklin in the Loop and were treated to fireworks, musical performances and a countdown to midnight projected on the Merchandise Mart. —Claire Malon, Chicago Tribune, 3 Jan. 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