Word
bedtime
Phoneticsbed·time
US/ˈbɛdˌtaɪm/
UK/bˈɛdtaɪm/
Definition
n. the time when you go to bed to sleep. It is usually a fixed time each night, especially for children.
n. the time at which a person goes to bed, typically implying a regular or prescribed schedule.
Examples
“My bedtime is at nine o'clock.”
“The children have a strict bedtime of eight thirty every school night.”
“Enforcing a consistent bedtime helped regulate his circadian rhythm and improved his morning alertness.”
Examples
simple
“My bedtime is at nine o'clock.”
contextual
“The children have a strict bedtime of eight thirty every school night.”
complex
“Enforcing a consistent bedtime helped regulate his circadian rhythm and improved his morning alertness.”
Etymology
From Middle English bedtyme, bed-tyme, bedetyme, bedde tyme, equivalent to bed + time. Compare earlier Old English bedtīd (“bedtime”). Compare also West Frisian bêdtiid (“bedtime”), Dutch bedtijd (“bedtime”), Saterland Frisian Bädegungenstied (“bedtime”, literally “bed-goings-time”), German Low German Beddgahnstied, Bettgahnstiet (“bedtime”, literally “bed-goings-time”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Idioms
tears before bedtime — Harm or damage that is incurred before a matter is concluded.