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

There was quiet and a new moon, black as soot outside, and far above the Earth, Betelgeuse was burning. — Literary Hub, 19 Aug. 2026

August's total solar eclipse occurred as the moon passed directly between the sun and Earth during its monthly new moon phase. — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 18 Aug. 2026

There will be a planetary alignment early in the morning, a solar eclipse in the afternoon, and a new moon at night as the Perseid meteor shower reaches its peak. — Gabe Hauari, USA Today, 12 Aug. 2026

This year, that peak coincides almost perfectly with a new moon, leaving skies virtually free of moonlight and allowing even faint meteors to shine. — Jessica Chapel, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Aug. 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