bedtime

[bed-tahym]

noun

1. the time times at which a person usually goes to bed.

   It's past my bedtime.

2. the time times at which a person goes to bed on a particular night.

   I have to get up early tomorrow so bedtime tonight will be 9 o'clock.

bedtime

/ ˈbɛdˌtaɪm /

noun

1. 1. the time when one usually goes to bed

   2. ( as modifier )

      a bedtime story

Word History and Origins

Origin of bedtime¹

Middle English word dating back to 1200–50; bed, time

Example Sentences

Does this scenario sound familiar: You’re washing the Sunday dinner dishes or brushing your teeth before bedtime—and you feel the looming horror of Monday morning back at work.

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They took their baths and made their beds and put their toys back in the toy chest before bedtime, for that is what Lumawoo would have wanted.

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The birthday greeting was much appreciated, of course, but it was that last bit about the “ivy-covered walls” that kept Penelope awake and thinking long past her usual bedtime.

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“You are so kind to include them, sir, but it is long past the children’s bedtime—and I fear the cigar smoke would upset their tummies after such a rich meal.”

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She knew it was long past time for her to take the children inside to settle in their new, temporary quarters, to have supper and a bath and a bedtime read-aloud.

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