new moon

noun

1

: the moon's phase when it is in conjunction with the sun so that its dark side is toward the earth

also : the thin crescent moon seen shortly after sunset for a few days after the actual occurrence of the new moon phase

2

: the beginning of each Jewish month marked by a special liturgy

Examples of new moon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The moon will be conspicuously absent from the post-sunset sky from March 7 up until a few days after its new moon phase on March 20, presenting ideal conditions to hunt for the zodiacal light in the runup to the spring equinox and in the nights that follow. —Anthony Wood, Space.com, 5 Mar. 2026

Lunar New Year festivities in China are preceded by days of preparation leading up to the first new moon of the calendar, including cleaning the house, clearing the clutter and getting a head start on the dumplings. —Miguel Otárola, Denver Post, 26 Feb. 2026

The 15-day festival commemorates the first new moon of the lunisolar calendar, signifying the arrival of spring. —Ashley Opina, Twin Cities, 18 Feb. 2026

The holiday begins on the night of the first new moon of the lunar calendar and ends with the first full moon. —Lucia Cheng, Des Moines Register, 17 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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

Rhymes for new moon

• attune
• baboon
• balloon
• bassoon
• buffoon
• cartoon
• cocoon
• festoon
• gaboon
• harpoon
• immune
• impugn

Kids Definition

new moon

noun

: the moon's phase when its dark side is toward the earth

also : the thin curved outline of the moon seen shortly after sunset for a few days after the actual occurrence of the new moon phase