midday

Everyday

1. Midday is twelve o'clock in the middle of the day; noon. tree →
2. Midday can also mean around the middle of the day. tree →

In the lessons

In maths and time, midday is 12:00, or 12 pm, or 12 noon; times before it are am, times after it are pm; midnight is 12 hours later. In science and safety, the Sun is highest in the sky around midday (about 1 pm in summer time), so the sun's rays are strongest: stay in the shade, wear a hat and sunscreen, and shadows are shortest then. In everyday life, «a midday meal» is lunch.

Examples

• We eat lunch at midday. tree →
• The Sun is highest in the sky around midday. tree →
• Stay out of the strong sun at midday. tree →
• Midday is 12 o'clock. tree →
• The shop closes at midday on Saturdays. tree →
• Shadows are shortest at midday. tree →
• From 9 am to midday is three hours. tree →

Note

Uncountable: «at midday», not «at a midday». Midday = noon = 12:00 = 12 pm. Midnight = 12:00 at night = 12 am. In maths, counting time across midday: from 11 am to 2 pm is 3 hours. Opposite: «midnight».

In Jewish tradition

Midday is when the prophets of Baal cried out all the way to the evening offering, with no answer from their god.

Interpretation. The story of Elijah on Mount Carmel is read as a contest. The idols were silent, and the LORD answered Elijah's prayer with fire.

Examples

• And it was so, when midday was past, that they prophesied until the time of the offering of the evening offering; but their was neither voice, nor any to answer, nor any that regarded. (Prophets 1KI.18.29, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Uncountable: «at midday», not «at a midday». Midday = noon = 12:00 = 12 pm. Midnight = 12:00 at night = 12 am. In maths, counting time across midday: from 11 am to 2 pm is 3 hours. Opposite: «midnight».