fortnight

noun

fort·​night ˈfȯrt-ˌnīt How to pronounce fortnight (audio)
: a period of 14 days : two weeks
They stayed with us for a fortnight.

Examples of fortnight in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Ideally, Newcastle hope to bring in a midfielder this week, but as a minimum, one or two experienced players must arrive before the deadline in a fortnight. — Chris Waugh, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2026 If the Supreme Court fails to address the issue within a fortnight, without Congressional approval, construction on the ballroom must cease. — News Desk, Artforum, 10 Aug. 2026 In the past fortnight, the US has launched nightly air strikes, renewed the blockade of Iranian ships crossing the Strait of Hormuz, and reimposed sanctions. — The Week Uk, TheWeek, 25 July 2026 Getty Images Arthur Fery’s dream run at Wimbledon came to an end in the semifinals, but the British wildcard scored a huge payday during the fortnight. — Adam Zagoria, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for fortnight

Word History

Etymology

Middle English fourtenight, alteration of fourtene night, from Old English fēowertȳne niht fourteen nights

First Known Use

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

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

Rhymes for fortnight

See All Rhymes for fortnight

Browse Nearby Words

Fort Nelson
fortnight
fortnightly
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Fortnight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fortnight. Accessed 20 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

fortnight

noun
fort·​night ˈfōrt-ˌnīt How to pronounce fortnight (audio)
ˈfȯrt-
: a period of 14 days : two weeks
fortnightly
-lē
adverb or adjective
Etymology

Old English fēowertȳne niht "fourteen nights"

More from Merriam-Webster on fortnight

Nglish: Translation of fortnight for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about fortnight

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