predawn
Americannoun
adjective
Etymology
Origin of predawn
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.
The peak takes place overnight on 12 August into the predawn hours of 13 August.
From BBC ● Jul. 26, 2026
She assumed office this year after U.S. forces swooped into the capital in a predawn raid on Jan. 3 and arrested her predecessor, Nicolás Maduro.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 25, 2026
President Rodrigo Paz on Saturday appeared in a predawn televised address to warn protesters they would face "the full force of the law" as he moved to end the crisis.
From Barron's ● Jun. 20, 2026
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said that "in two predawn operations today, the Coast Guard conducted back-to-back meticulously co-ordinated boarding of two 'ghost fleet' tanker ships".
From BBC ● Jan. 7, 2026
The three Domishmen broke their fast in the predawn chill—a simple meal of fruit and bread and cheese, washed down with goat milk.
From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin
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.
