Standard Lemma guide

nocturn

noun · 2 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: /ˈnɒktɜːn/
  • Received-Pronunciation: /(ˌ)nɒkˈtɜːn/
  • General-American: nŏkʹtûrn'
  • General-American: nŏkʹtərn
  • General-American: /ˈnɑkˌtɝn/
  • General-American: /ˈnɑktɚn/
  • rhymes with -ɒktɜː(ɹ)n
  • rhymes with -ɒktə(ɹ)n
  • rhymes with -ɜː(ɹ)n
  • homophone: nocturne

1

noun

Meaning 1

The night office of the Christian liturgy of the Hours, such as is performed in monasteries.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: Christianity

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: uhtsong

Antonyms: none provided

2

noun

Meaning 2

A portion of the psalter used during nocturns.

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Topics: Christianity

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

From Middle English nocturne, borrowed from Medieval Latin nocturna, noun use of the feminine form of Latin nocturnus (“nocturnal, of the night”), derived from nox (“night”).