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
Edward Wong, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2025
In the Richlands, Virginia area, at least 51 people, 17 dogs and eight cats were rescued overnight, according to Virginia Task Force 4.
—Mary Gilbert, CNN, 16 Feb. 2025
Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 17 Feb. 2025
Amazon isn’t just a one-stop destination for travel accessories and camping gear; the online retailer has also expanded into do-it-yourself cabin kits that are easy to build and offer overnight guests more privacy than a spare bedroom.
—Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 15 Feb. 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
Britina Cheng, Vulture, 27 Jan. 2025
There are some staffers at CNN who are likely to view a move of Acosta from mid-mornings to overnights as a demotion.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 17 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for overnight 
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.
Adverb
Israel’s Ministry of Defense announced that a shipment of 2000-pound bombs, which had been held up by the Biden administration, had arrived in Israel overnight.
—Edward Wong, New York Times, 16 Feb. 2025
In the Richlands, Virginia area, at least 51 people, 17 dogs and eight cats were rescued overnight, according to Virginia Task Force 4.
—Mary Gilbert, CNN, 16 Feb. 2025
Adjective
The oil facilities had been fueling Russia's war effort, and the overnight drone strikes led to the suspension of pumping operations, the official said.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 17 Feb. 2025
Amazon isn’t just a one-stop destination for travel accessories and camping gear; the online retailer has also expanded into do-it-yourself cabin kits that are easy to build and offer overnight guests more privacy than a spare bedroom.
—Rylee Johnston, Travel + Leisure, 15 Feb. 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
Beyoncé has as good a case as ever for Album of the Year.
overnights 10:16 a.m.
—Britina Cheng, Vulture, 27 Jan. 2025
There are some staffers at CNN who are likely to view a move of Acosta from mid-mornings to overnights as a demotion.
—Brian Steinberg, Variety, 17 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for overnight
Dictionary Entries Near overnight
Cite this Entry
“Overnight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overnight. Accessed 21 Feb. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share