over·night
ˌō-vər-ˈnīt 
1
a
: on the evening before
b
: during the night
stayed away overnight
2
: very quickly or suddenly
became famous overnight
over·night
ˌō-vər-ˈnīt
over·night
ˈō-vər-ˌnīt
ˌō-vər-ˈnīt
ˌō-vər-ˈnīt
overnighted; overnighting; overnights
: to stay overnight
: to send (something, such as a package or letter) by a mail service for delivery within one day's time
over·night
ˈō-vər-ˌnīt
: an overnight stay
Examples of overnight in a Sentence
Adverb
He stayed overnight and went home the next day.
Let the paint dry overnight.
The novel made her famous overnight.
Adjective
They went on an overnight bus trip.
Overnight guests are not allowed in the dormitory.
The show was an overnight success.
Recent Examples on the Web
David Brennan, ABC News, 29 Apr. 2025
As public anger over the clip grew, fighters in armored vehicles amassed overnight outside Jaramana and began shelling the city, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a war monitoring group based in Britain.
—Euan Ward, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
Nathan Diller, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2025
As Jayaram explains, this wasn’t an overnight idea.
—Afdhel Aziz, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Christopher Elliott, USA TODAY, 20 Sep. 2024
Star Legend will sail 16 week-long cruises between Rome and Barcelona, visiting Florence and Pisa in Italy; Monte Carlo, Monaco (where the ship will overnight); and Marseille, France.
—Stefanie Waldek, Travel + Leisure, 25 Oct. 2023
Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 15 Apr. 2025
The Era of Network Nostalgia Is Here, and The Pitt Stands to Benefit The Max Original is gunning for the Emmys, backed by a big star and a satisfying narrative.
overnights Yesterday at 10:00 a.m.
Doctor Who Recap: What’s Schwup, Doc?
—Britina Cheng, Vulture, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overnight
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Adverb
Russia's Defense Ministry, meanwhile, said its forces downed 40 Ukrainian drones overnight.
—David Brennan, ABC News, 29 Apr. 2025
As public anger over the clip grew, fighters in armored vehicles amassed overnight outside Jaramana and began shelling the city, according to the Syrian Observatory for Human Rights, a war monitoring group based in Britain.
—Euan Ward, New York Times, 29 Apr. 2025
Adjective
The itinerary includes nine late-night departures in Honolulu, Singapore, Tokyo and others, and an overnight stop in Hong Kong.
—Nathan Diller, USA Today, 30 Apr. 2025
As Jayaram explains, this wasn’t an overnight idea.
—Afdhel Aziz, Forbes.com, 29 Apr. 2025
Verb
My bank promised to overnight a new card to my address but then sent it to the wrong address – my U.S. residence instead of my Swiss address.
—Christopher Elliott, USA TODAY, 20 Sep. 2024
Star Legend will sail 16 week-long cruises between Rome and Barcelona, visiting Florence and Pisa in Italy; Monte Carlo, Monaco (where the ship will overnight); and Marseille, France.
—Stefanie Waldek, Travel + Leisure, 25 Oct. 2023
Noun
The station is the end of the line of R trains from Brooklyn on overnights.
—Thomas Tracy, New York Daily News, 15 Apr. 2025
The Era of Network Nostalgia Is Here, and The Pitt Stands to Benefit The Max Original is gunning for the Emmys, backed by a big star and a satisfying narrative.
overnights Yesterday at 10:00 a.m.
Doctor Who Recap: What’s Schwup, Doc?
—Britina Cheng, Vulture, 12 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overnight
Cite this Entry
“Overnight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overnight. Accessed 5 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
overnight
1 of 2 adverb
over·night
ˌō-vər-ˈnīt
1
: on or during the evening or night
stayed away overnight
2
: very quickly or suddenly
became famous overnight
overnight
2 of 2 adjective1
: of, lasting, or staying the night
overnight trip
an overnight guest
2
: sudden sense 1
overnight stardom
3
: traveling during the night
an overnight train
4
: delivered within one day's time
overnight mail
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