postmeridian

1 7.9

Happening after midday

adjective
/ˌpoʊstˈmɪrɪdən/

: posmeridiano

Clara joined the postmeridian hush.

Examples

We usually have lunch during the postmeridian hours.
After a busy morning, she found the postmeridian tranquility soothing.
The early postmeridian sun cast long shadows across the park.

Synonyms

afternoon

vspostmeridian

∞ 1.0

The time between noon and evening

is about times after midday rather than only that specific part

P.M.

vspostmeridian

111 1.0

Used with clock times to show that the time is after noon

covers occurrences after midday, stressing the afternoon sense

p.m.

vspostmeridian

1 1.0

The time from noon until midnight used for times after 12:00

describes events after midday, usually meaning the afternoon period

vspostmeridian

1 1.0

The time between noon and midnight used for clock times

refers to moments after midday with emphasis on afternoon usage

post meridiem

vspostmeridian

5.3

The time from noon to midnight

focuses on times after midday but more on the afternoon hours

Antonyms

antemeridian

Formal

9.9

Happening before noon

Surface Forms

postmeridian positive

Morphology

postmeridian = meridian (semi-transparent) = post + meridian

The meaning is directly 'after' + 'meridian' (midday), but 'meridian' is relatively formal/rare and 'postmeridian' itself is uncommon, so the combination may not be immediately obvious to average learners.

Etymology

The word postmeridian comes from Latin parts post- meaning 'after' and meridian meaning 'midday'. So, think of 'PM' — it simply means the time 'after' midday, the 'afternoon'.