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

Her arms were covered with tattoos: a new moon, an owl feather, a moth, a tarot card, and more that were hidden in the sleeve of her black T-shirt. —Maureen Lee Lenker, EW.com, 10 July 2024

This is followed by an intimate new moon in Cancer, highlighting everything from your desire for vulnerability and soul-to-soul connections in your love life. —Valerie Mesa, Peoplemag, 6 July 2024

Through the remainder of this summer into early fall, a new moon falls on July 5, Aug. 4, Sept. 2 and Oct. 2. —Kylie Martin, Detroit Free Press, 5 July 2024

The name can be traced all the way to the Old Farmers’ Almanac; full and new moons were used to track seasons, and Native American tribes (according to the Austin-American Statesman: the Algonquin, Ojibwe, Dakota, and Lakota tribes) named this lunar event to mark peak strawberry season. —Abigail Wilt, Southern Living, 21 June 2024

Word History

First Known Use

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

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