Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
Menu
dictionary thesaurus

nocturn

noun
noc·​turn | \ˈnäk-ˌtərn \

Definition of nocturn 

: a principal division of the office of matins

First Known Use of nocturn

14th century, in the meaning defined above

History and Etymology for nocturn

Middle English nocturne, borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Medieval Latin nocturnus, going back to Latin, feminine of nocturnus "of the night" — more at nocturnal

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about nocturn

Dictionary Entries near nocturn

noctuid

Noctuidae

noctule

nocturn

nocturnal

nocturnality

nocturne

Statistics for nocturn

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for nocturn

The first known use of nocturn was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century

More from Merriam-Webster on nocturn

See words that rhyme with nocturn

Comments on nocturn

What made you want to look up nocturn? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

tomfoolery

playful or foolish behavior

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Autumn Words of the Day 2018

  • a-top-down-image-of-road-through-an-autumn-forest
  • Which is a synonym of fugacious?
How Strong Is Your Vocabulary?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ
SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games