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predawn

American  
[pree-dawn, pree-] / priˈdɔn, ˈpri- /

noun

  1. the period immediately preceding dawn.


adjective

  1. noting the time immediately prior to dawn.

Etymology

Origin of predawn

First recorded in 1945–50; pre- + dawn

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

In a predawn raid on Dec. 6, 2023, fraud investigators and U.K.

From The Wall Street Journal

There were no predawn hikes or multicity tours.

From The Wall Street Journal

An attempted theft of copper wire on Tuesday led to a predawn barricade situation — inside a city manhole — authorities said.

From Los Angeles Times

He got out of bed quietly so he wouldn’t wake Aaron and crept down the hallway in the predawn light.

From Literature

The sensitivity of the response to Maduro was evident in a predawn meeting two days after Maduro’s Jan. 3 capture.

From The Wall Street Journal