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predawn

American  
[pree-dawn, pree-] / priˈdɔn, ˈpri- /

noun

  1. the period immediately preceding dawn.


adjective

  1. noting the time immediately prior to dawn.

Etymology

Origin of predawn

First recorded in 1945–50; pre- + dawn

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.

See Examples For:

The peak takes place overnight on 12 August into the predawn hours of 13 August.

From BBC Jul. 26, 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

In a predawn raid on Dec. 6, 2023, fraud investigators and U.K.

From The Wall Street Journal Feb. 23, 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

It was a question that dogged me through my first month, even as I began to settle in, even as I got used to the predawn wake-ups and navigating between buildings for class.

From "Becoming" by Michelle Obama

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