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
Dan Stillman, Washington Post, 3 July 2024
Crews are working to restore power for thousands of people across the Kansas City metro Wednesday after thunderstorms and strong winds rolled through the area overnight.
—Andrea Klick, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2024
Kate Gibson, CBS News, 5 July 2024
The risk of hurricane-force winds and life-threatening storm surge are increasing along the coast in portions of northeastern Mexico and the lower and middle Texas coasts for overnight Sunday and into Monday, the center said.
—Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 5 July 2024
Stefanie Waldek, Travel + Leisure, 25 Oct. 2023
This video is showing Covariant’s robotic picking system operating (for over an hour at 10x speed) in a warehouse that handles logistics for a company called Obeta, which overnights orders of electrical supplies to electricians in Germany.
—IEEE Spectrum, 29 Jan. 2020
Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 17 June 2024
Out-of-town overnights in the mountains or in-town educational activities can be a stretch for many struggling families.
—Staff Reports, The Arizona Republic, 12 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for overnight 
Adverb
The humidity rises more substantially during the evening and overnight.
—Dan Stillman, Washington Post, 3 July 2024
Crews are working to restore power for thousands of people across the Kansas City metro Wednesday after thunderstorms and strong winds rolled through the area overnight.
—Andrea Klick, Kansas City Star, 3 July 2024
Adjective
The Fed has held its overnight interest rate — or what banks charge each other for short-term loans — in the 5.25% to 5.50% range since July of 2023.
—Kate Gibson, CBS News, 5 July 2024
The risk of hurricane-force winds and life-threatening storm surge are increasing along the coast in portions of northeastern Mexico and the lower and middle Texas coasts for overnight Sunday and into Monday, the center said.
—Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 5 July 2024
Verb
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
This video is showing Covariant’s robotic picking system operating (for over an hour at 10x speed) in a warehouse that handles logistics for a company called Obeta, which overnights orders of electrical supplies to electricians in Germany.
—IEEE Spectrum, 29 Jan. 2020
Noun
The heat danger was up to purple in parts of Iowa, Illinois and Missouri, indicating extreme heat with little to no temperature relief overnights and potential impacts on heat-sensitive industries and infrastructure, the weather service notes.
—Gabe Hauari, USA TODAY, 17 June 2024
Out-of-town overnights in the mountains or in-town educational activities can be a stretch for many struggling families.
—Staff Reports, The Arizona Republic, 12 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for overnight
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'overnight.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near overnight
Cite this Entry
“Overnight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overnight. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
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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