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

The day is typically so packed with excursions that there's very little time for any other entertainment—most guests head straight to bed after dinner, or perhaps after a nightcap with other guests. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 July 2026

Valdez’s two-run shot in the fourth inning of the nightcap opened the scoring. — ABC News, 11 July 2026

The itinerary ends with a nightcap in a cocktail bar (in Madrid that’s in the maximalist Bar Manero) where an element of play is introduced. — Chadner Navarro, Robb Report, 9 July 2026

Dinner, a full theatrical production and a nightcap can all be enjoyed within the resort, with no need to navigate Manila traffic after the curtain call. — Ching Dee, Forbes.com, 8 July 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