Twelfth Night

noun

: the evening or sometimes the eve of Epiphany

Examples of Twelfth Night in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night November 15-December 7, 2024 Shakespeare's delightful comedy of mistaken identities and romantic entanglements, is a family-friendly spectacle that promises laughter and joy for all. David Catlin, The Enquirer, 6 Mar. 2024 The title, Eat the Music, is meant to be a playful nod to ‘If music be the food of love, play on,’ from Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. Jazz Monroe, Pitchfork, 28 Feb. 2024 The title, ‘Eat the Music’, is meant to be a playful nod to ‘If music be the food of love, play on,’ from Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night. Lars Brandle, Billboard, 28 Feb. 2024 The Cost to Deck the Halls like a Kardashian-Jenner Consequently, according to tradition, Twelfth Night is when those celebrating should take down their trees. Maria Pasquini, Peoplemag, 11 Dec. 2023 Festivities begin on Epiphany, also known as Twelfth Night or Three Kings' Day, on Jan. 6. Keisha Rowe, The Courier-Journal, 13 Feb. 2024 Most king cakes are consumed on midnight on New Year's, although some cultures eat king cake on Christmas or on Jan. 6 in honor of the Epiphany (Twelfth Night, which historically marks the arrival of the three wise men/kings in Bethlehem who delivered gifts to the baby Jesus). USA TODAY, 1 Jan. 2024 The name is derived from the Three Wise Men in the Bible, who came bearing gifts for Baby Jesus on the Twelfth Night. Michelle Darrisaw, Southern Living, 29 Jan. 2024 The 12 days of Christmas run from Dec. 25 through Jan. 5, with that last evening called Twelfth Night—the evening before Epiphany. Joseph Bottum, WSJ, 28 Dec. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'Twelfth Night.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of Twelfth Night was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near Twelfth Night

Cite this Entry

“Twelfth Night.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/Twelfth%20Night. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

Twelfth Night

noun
: the evening or sometimes the eve of Epiphany

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