nightcap

noun

night·​cap ˈnīt-ˌkap 

1

: a cloth cap worn with nightclothes

2

: a usually alcoholic drink taken at the end of the day

3

: the final race or contest of a day's sports

especially : the second game of a baseball doubleheader

Examples of nightcap in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Visit the palace and stroll through its exotic gardens, dine in the historic market square, and have a nightcap at a high-end cocktail bar for a taste of the true Monaco lifestyle. — Condé Nast Traveler, 18 Sep. 2026

For a nightcap, stay close to home with a cocktail in The Cobbler, a cool hangout for both residents and non-residents. — Adrienne Wyper, TheWeek, 17 Sep. 2026

That stretch started with the doubleheader sweep of the Detroit Tigers earlier this month, when Bazzana smacked a tying homer and a walk-off single in the nightcap. — Zack Meisel, New York Times, 14 Sep. 2026

Come early to regroup between screenings; come back when the festival moves from premieres to nightcaps. — Melinda Sheckells, HollywoodReporter, 11 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for nightcap

• bandgap
• bitmap
• blackcap
• blackstrap
• bootstrap
• burlap
• claptrap
• entrap
• foolscap
• kidnap
• kneecap
• madcap

Kids Definition

nightcap

noun

night·​cap ˈnīt-ˌkap 

1

: a cap worn with nightclothes

2

: a drink taken at bedtime

3

: the final race or contest of a day's sports activities