nightfall

noun

night·​fall ˈnīt-ˌfȯl How to pronounce nightfall (audio)
: the close of the day : dusk

Examples of nightfall in a Sentence

When nightfall came, we were still waiting for the electricity to come back on. since you aren't taking a flashlight, make sure you're back at camp by nightfall
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The protests remained peaceful until nightfall, when some in the crowd began throwing trash into the street near ICE offices at 26 Federal Plaza. Amanda Castro hannah Parry, MSNBC Newsweek, 11 June 2025 As nightfall approached Thursday, almost a full day into the Russian leader’s ceasefire, Ukrainian officials were reporting continued attacks across the front line. Andrew Carey, CNN Money, 8 May 2025 The day's wind chill is expected to dip to minus 10 degrees, and the high is set at 21 degrees dropping to 8 degrees after nightfall. Jen Guadarrama, IndyStar, 2 July 2025 Water deeply early in the day and avoid overhead watering to allow foliage to dry before nightfall to minimize fungal diseases. Mary Marlowe Leverette, Southern Living, 13 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for nightfall

Word History

First Known Use

1700, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nightfall was in 1700

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nightfall.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nightfall. Accessed 22 Aug. 2025.

Kids Definition

nightfall

noun
night·​fall -ˌfȯl How to pronounce nightfall (audio)
: the coming of night : dusk

More from Merriam-Webster on nightfall

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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