Phrase guide

golden hour

noun · 4 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • Received-Pronunciation: /ˈɡəʊl.dən ˌaʊə/
  • General-American: /ˈɡoʊl.dən ˌaʊɚ/
  • rhymes with -aʊə(ɹ)

1

noun

Meaning 1

The first sixty minutes after sustaining major traumatic injury, during which there is the highest likelihood that prompt medical treatment will prevent death.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: medicine, sciences

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: golden time

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A period shortly after sunrise or before sunset, during which daylight is redder and softer than when the Sun is higher in the sky.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: arts, hobbies, lifestyle, photography

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

3

noun

Meaning 3

In Japanese television, the period between 7 and 9 pm, the equivalent of the American prime time.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: broadcasting, media, television

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

4

noun

Meaning 4

Hours worked outside of normal working hours, for which additional money is paid.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: in-plural

Topics: broadcasting, media, television

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From golden + hour.

Across languages

Translations

3 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • French: heure d'or — the first hour after a traumatic injury
  • French: heure dorée — period shortly after sunrise or before sunset
  • Spanish: hora dorada — period shortly after sunrise or before sunset