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
Will Gretsky, ABC News, 10 Sep. 2025
Asia-Pacific markets meanwhile rose overnight, as investors assessed August inflation data out of China.
—Chloe Taylor,holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Merlin is a cockapoo puppy, a mix between a cocker spaniel and a poodle, and has become an overnight social-media sensation after millions watched his attempt to get some frying bacon.
—Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 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
Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 6 Sep. 2025
Factors like consistently high summer overnight temperatures, droughts and heavier-than-usual rains at the wrong time can all disrupt the plants’ pollination — making each full ear of corn less of a guarantee and more of a gamble.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 25 Aug. 2025
See All Example Sentences for overnight
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Adverb
Polish airspace was violated by at least 19 Russian drones overnight, the country's prime minister said, in a torrent of activity that triggered a response from the NATO country's air force, which scrambled and downed several of the drones.
—Will Gretsky, ABC News, 10 Sep. 2025
Asia-Pacific markets meanwhile rose overnight, as investors assessed August inflation data out of China.
—Chloe Taylor,holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 10 Sep. 2025
Adjective
Cooler weather will continue through the end of the week, with good to excellent overnight recovery, and daytime relative humidity values remaining elevated through at least the weekend.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 12 Sep. 2025
Merlin is a cockapoo puppy, a mix between a cocker spaniel and a poodle, and has become an overnight social-media sensation after millions watched his attempt to get some frying bacon.
—Rachael O'Connor, MSNBC Newsweek, 12 Sep. 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
Damaging winds, large hail and lightning will be possible early Saturday evening into the overnight across this area, with a slim risk of a few brief tornadoes.
—Nadine El-Bawab, ABC News, 6 Sep. 2025
Factors like consistently high summer overnight temperatures, droughts and heavier-than-usual rains at the wrong time can all disrupt the plants’ pollination — making each full ear of corn less of a guarantee and more of a gamble.
—Jason Ma, Fortune, 25 Aug. 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 13 Sep. 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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