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
Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Jan. 2025
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
—Elizabeth Mervosh, Southern Living, 11 Jan. 2025
Parker Mancino, arkansasonline.com, 12 Jan. 2025
This facility is used by both Amtrak and NJT for midday and overnight storage to position equipment for rush hour and off peak service.
—Larry Penner, New York Daily News, 12 Jan. 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
Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 9 Jan. 2025
The Fed’s benchmark overnight lending rate currently stands at 4.25% to 4.50%.
—Jesse Pound, CNBC, 8 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for overnight 
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Adverb
Re-freezing of water on roads from recent snow may create hazardous driving conditions overnight in some areas, and freezing fog may aggravate those already deteriorating conditions.
—Lillie Davidson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 11 Jan. 2025
Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before reheating.
—Elizabeth Mervosh, Southern Living, 11 Jan. 2025
Adjective
The biggest concern for the department over the next several days and following warmer daytime temperatures is the evening and overnight refreeze of melting snow and ice piled on the sides of the roads.
—Parker Mancino, arkansasonline.com, 12 Jan. 2025
This facility is used by both Amtrak and NJT for midday and overnight storage to position equipment for rush hour and off peak service.
—Larry Penner, New York Daily News, 12 Jan. 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
Snow, sleet and freezing rain are expected to continue until 10 p.m., with all sleet forecast in the overnight.
—Joe Marusak, Charlotte Observer, 9 Jan. 2025
The Fed’s benchmark overnight lending rate currently stands at 4.25% to 4.50%.
—Jesse Pound, CNBC, 8 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 18 Jan. 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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