noun / adjective
midnight
MID-nyte/ˈmɪdnaɪt/
The darkest central time of night, especially twelve o'clock.
The clock reads midnight beside the dark, moonlit window.
Etymology
The pieces literally mean “middle of the night.” That central-point image underlies the word’s use for the precise clock time twelve at night.
In context
Then the clock struck midnight, year end in sight, counted down 2014.
More examples
- We need to finish this project before midnight.
- The midnight train carries only a few passengers.
- They stay up until midnight to celebrate the new year.
Forms
midnight · midnights
Similar words
- night
- Refers to the whole dark period, not specifically its middle.