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 hotel's dog-friendly atmosphere infuses the space with warmth, while the nearby Brooklyn Bowl provides an ideal launchpad for nighttime adventures. Malik Peay, USA Today, 24 May 2025 Several fires could be seen against the nighttime skyline. Kathleen Magramo, CNN Money, 24 May 2025 That’s why nighttime heartburn is so common in general. Erica Sloan, SELF, 23 May 2025 The film centers on married couple Raoul (Isaac) and Alex (Stewart) who descend each evening from their luxury skyscraper condo and head into an electric nighttime realm of ’80s Los Angeles, per the official synopsis. Samantha Bergeson, IndieWire, 22 May 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 28 May. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!