red-eye

noun

1
: cheap whiskey
2
: the phenomenon of a subject's eyes appearing red in a color photograph taken with a flash
3
: a late-night or overnight flight

Examples of red-eye in a Sentence

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.
Everywhere Tote is the one-bag solution for back-to-back meetings, red-eye flights, and weekend getaways. Boutayna Chokrane, Wired News, 13 June 2025 An airline passenger was woken up on a red-eye flight by another passenger slapping their head, according to a Reddit post. Michael Cappetta, Travel + Leisure, 12 June 2025 Residents along inner Cape Cod and over the bridge into southeastern Plymouth County should expect the 17-year periodical red-eye cicadas to surface by late June. Rick Sobey, Boston Herald, 10 May 2025 These flowy, featherlight pants are tailor-made for a red-eye flight or sweltering arrival gate. Rosie Marder, Travel + Leisure, 2 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for red-eye

Word History

First Known Use

1819, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of red-eye was in 1819

Cite this Entry

“Red-eye.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/red-eye. Accessed 25 Jun. 2025.

More from Merriam-Webster on red-eye

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!