bedtime

American  

[bed-tahym] / ˈbɛdˌtaɪm /

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.

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bedtime British  

/ ˈbɛdˌtaɪm /

noun

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

   2. ( as modifier )

      a bedtime story

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Etymology

Origin of bedtime

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

Example Sentences

Her children sometimes struggle with anxiety at bedtime, and Judd has taught them to breathe using a shorter in-breath and a longer exhale to help calm them.

From BBC • Mar. 22, 2026

“The logic stands: no need to resize your oversized bedtime t-shirt, but you don’t want your work jacket to look like it’s wearing you.”

From MarketWatch • Mar. 20, 2026

I had skipped dinner with them and my wife, and it was not yet bedtime for the little ones.

From Salon • Mar. 7, 2026

Both groups dimmed lights three hours before bedtime.

From Science Daily • Feb. 15, 2026

But Mom made him take it off at bath time and bedtime.

From "A Boy Called Bat" by Elana K. Arnold