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
Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 9 June 2024
If frozen overnight, let stand at room temperature at least 30 minutes to soften slightly.
—Omar Tate, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 June 2024
Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 10 June 2024
The researchers measured levels of xylitol in participants' blood after an overnight fast, and found that those with the highest levels had a two-fold greater risk of having a heart attack, stroke, or dying over three years compared to those with the lowest levels.
—Alice Park, TIME, 6 June 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
Joshua Hammer, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 May 2024
Sleeping in the car, front-country camping, or truck-bed overnights are better with a giant blanket.
—Maggie Slepian, Travel + Leisure, 10 Apr. 2024
See all Example Sentences for overnight 
Adverb
Even if fire territories were created to generate money for ambulance service as well as fire protection, that’s a big step and wouldn’t happen overnight, Vasquez pointed out.
—Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 9 June 2024
If frozen overnight, let stand at room temperature at least 30 minutes to soften slightly.
—Omar Tate, Better Homes & Gardens, 7 June 2024
Adjective
Our class culminated in an overnight camping trip to what was then the Pinnacles National Monument to hike along the San Andreas Fault.
—Rachel Chang, Travel + Leisure, 10 June 2024
The researchers measured levels of xylitol in participants' blood after an overnight fast, and found that those with the highest levels had a two-fold greater risk of having a heart attack, stroke, or dying over three years compared to those with the lowest levels.
—Alice Park, TIME, 6 June 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
Because of the absence of camping facilities, a van met us at the end of each day, shuttled us to inns for dinners and overnights, and drove us to a new trailhead the next morning.
—Joshua Hammer, Smithsonian Magazine, 15 May 2024
Sleeping in the car, front-country camping, or truck-bed overnights are better with a giant blanket.
—Maggie Slepian, Travel + Leisure, 10 Apr. 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 Jun. 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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