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
Rob Stein, NPR, 15 Aug. 2025
For three days, the dozen jurors listened to attorneys on both sides question overnight stays by the players at their former coach's two-bedroom apartment and what transpired.
—Stephanie Kuzydym, The Courier-Journal, 15 Aug. 2025
Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2025
Zelenskyy was the first to reveal his plans to visit Washington next week in an overnight post on X.
—Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 16 Aug. 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
AFAR Media, 29 July 2025
The Rise Of Late-Night Departures Not every itinerary includes a true overnight, but many now offer late stays.
—David Nikel, Forbes.com, 27 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for overnight
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Adverb
As the embryos settled in overnight, the researchers recorded time-lapse videos with a microscope.
—Rob Stein, NPR, 15 Aug. 2025
For three days, the dozen jurors listened to attorneys on both sides question overnight stays by the players at their former coach's two-bedroom apartment and what transpired.
—Stephanie Kuzydym, The Courier-Journal, 15 Aug. 2025
Adjective
Paramount is the overnight evaporation of a demand for a ceasefire.
—Nick Paton Walsh, CNN Money, 16 Aug. 2025
Zelenskyy was the first to reveal his plans to visit Washington next week in an overnight post on X.
—Francesca Chambers, USA Today, 16 Aug. 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
This is Ireland at its finest—an exclusive small-group experience featuring overnights in some of the country’s most iconic five-star accommodations, including a stay at the majestic Dromoland Castle.
—AFAR Media, 29 July 2025
The Rise Of Late-Night Departures Not every itinerary includes a true overnight, but many now offer late stays.
—David Nikel, Forbes.com, 27 July 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 19 Aug. 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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