nighttime

noun

night·​time ˈnīt-ˌtīm How to pronounce nighttime (audio)
often attributive
: the time from dusk to dawn

Examples of nighttime in a Sentence

The animal hunts in the nighttime. before electricity, gas lamps were used for illumination during the nighttime
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 right diapers and creams are a godsend for cleanup, while easy-to-wipe down changing pads and diaper pails make nighttimes a little more seamless. Cortne Bonilla, Vogue, 14 Oct. 2025 So what might happen to their daily and seasonal rhythms, already so strictly determined by light and dark, if a brief nighttime suddenly occurred during the day? Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 13 Oct. 2025 Waking up feeling backed up and bloated is no fun, but simple nighttime habits can set you up for smoother mornings and regular bowel movements. Julie Marks, Verywell Health, 10 Oct. 2025 Bright nighttime skies are on the way in Michigan as the year's first full supermoon will rise in the sky Monday, astronomers say. Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 5 Oct. 2025 See All Example Sentences for nighttime

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of nighttime was in the 14th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Nighttime.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/nighttime. Accessed 17 Oct. 2025.

Kids Definition

nighttime

noun
night·​time ˈnīt-ˌtīm How to pronounce nighttime (audio)
: the time from dusk to dawn
nighttime adjective

Legal Definition

nighttime

noun
night·​time
1
: the time from dusk to dawn
2
: a statutorily set period usually beginning shortly after dusk and ending shortly after dawn

More from Merriam-Webster on nighttime

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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