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 Broncos had beaten the Spartans by 31 and 15 points earlier in the season and entered the tournament on a five-game win streak, giving the sense that Wednesday’s nightcap game in Las Vegas, Nevada, was more formality than competition. —Idaho Statesman, 12 Mar. 2026

Amenities include breakfast served in the ballroom, courtyard, or piazza; afternoon tea and hors d’oeuvres, and a complimentary nightcap of port, sherry, or brandy. —Tara Massouleh McCay, Southern Living, 12 Mar. 2026

Playing in a nightcap second-round game, KU fell 55-48 to the Buffs in Kansas City. —Dominick Williams, Kansas City Star, 6 Mar. 2026

Featuring themed drinks and decor, Annabel Lee’s is the perfect spot for a nightcap in the candlelight. —Gaby Iori march 3, Literary Hub, 3 Mar. 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