post meridiem
Americanadverb
Etymology
Origin of post meridiem
First recorded in 1645–50
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.
Sir: In Mexico, it is a common use to interpret p.m. not as post meridiem but rather as puntualidad Mexicana, which means one or two hours after the stated time.
From Time Magazine Archive
![]()
At Edinburgh, 13th of November, 1740, post meridiem.
From The Works of Samuel Johnson, Volume 05 Miscellaneous Pieces by Johnson, Samuel
Die Sabbati, 4 Decembris 1568, Hora prima post meridiem.
From Mary Queen of Scots 1542-1587 by Various
"Monentur etiam et rogantur, ut antè meridiem ad horæ octavæ, post meridiem vero ad secundæ punctum præsentes sese sistere dignentur."
From Notes and Queries, Number 43, August 24, 1850 by Various
March 26th, my Lord sent one of his secretaries with answer to my letter, and with offer and promys of all where he can pleasure me, circa 5 post meridiem.
From The Private Diary of Dr. John Dee And the Catalog of His Library of Manuscripts by Dee, John
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.