bedtime

American  

[bed-tahym] / ˈbɛdˌtaɪm /

noun

1. the time at which a person usually goes to bed.

   It's past my bedtime.

2. the time 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; see origin at bed, time

Explanation

Bedtime is the time of the evening or night when you go to sleep. If you want a good excuse to leave a boring party, you can look at your watch and say, "Wow! It's way past my bedtime!" The time you generally go to bed is your bedtime, although you may not have a regular bedtime, just turning in whenever you feel sleepy. Most young children have a set bedtime, which is basically the hour their parents have decided they should go to sleep. If they're lucky, they'll get a bedtime story before the lights are turned off. Bedtime dates from the 13th century, from the Old English bedd and tima, "limited space of time."

Example Sentences

She said his absence has disrupted their daughter’s bedtime routine.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 9, 2026

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

These strategies include maintaining consistent bedtime routines, limiting screen exposure before bed, and setting age appropriate sleep expectations.

From Science Daily • Mar. 15, 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

Whenever a new one did come, Mutti would read it out loud to Karli and me every evening before bedtime.

From "An Elephant in the Garden" by Michael Morpurgo