Synonyms

harvest moon

American

noun

the moon at and about the period of fullness that is nearest to the autumnal equinox.

harvest moon British

noun

the full moon occurring nearest to the autumnal equinox

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of harvest moon

First recorded in 1700–10

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

One morning in my homeroom, the teacher asked what a harvest moon was.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jan. 16, 2026

According to his online profile, this 4 1/2-month-old ink spot with harvest moon eyes lived for belly rubs.

From Salon • Dec. 6, 2024

The harvest moon is the name given to the full moon that occurs nearest to the autumn equinox, which this year occurs on 22 September.

From BBC • Sep. 17, 2024

Just last week, you could find breathwork experiences, yoga sessions, forest bathing and other activities in the full moonlight to celebrate the arrival of the harvest moon.

From Los Angeles Times • Oct. 4, 2023

A harvest moon would cast shadows forever of a man walking upright, his dog bouncing after him.

From "Sounder" by William H. Armstrong

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023