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
Anthony Wood, Space.com, 2 May 2026
The statue, which includes a Banksy signature on its base, was erected overnight on Wednesday.
—Anastasia Tsioulcas, NPR, 2 May 2026
Richard Wagoner, Daily News, 4 May 2026
In Oak Lawn, Vittorio said adding officers to overnight shifts and investigating the slough of cases seen since last fall has created a huge cost for the village.
—Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026
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
Kyle Reiman, ABC News, 25 Apr. 2026
Seven-day sailings include an overnight at the Royal Naval Dockyard, along with a visit to either Charleston, South Carolina, or Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
—Christopher Edwards, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overnight
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Adverb
In 2026, the Eta Aquarid peak will occur overnight on May 5-6, as Earth travels through the densest part of Halley's debris stream.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 2 May 2026
The statue, which includes a Banksy signature on its base, was erected overnight on Wednesday.
—Anastasia Tsioulcas, NPR, 2 May 2026
Adjective
If my memory is correct, his passing leaves only longtime overnight personality Johnny Williams as the sole remaining original boss jock.
—Richard Wagoner, Daily News, 4 May 2026
In Oak Lawn, Vittorio said adding officers to overnight shifts and investigating the slough of cases seen since last fall has created a huge cost for the village.
—Olivia Stevens, Chicago Tribune, 4 May 2026
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
Discrete supercells will be likely throughout the evening hours and will last into the overnight.
—Kyle Reiman, ABC News, 25 Apr. 2026
Seven-day sailings include an overnight at the Royal Naval Dockyard, along with a visit to either Charleston, South Carolina, or Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada.
—Christopher Edwards, PEOPLE, 20 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for overnight
Cite this Entry
“Overnight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/overnight. Accessed 6 May. 2026.
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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