moonset.

1. The moon’s disappearance below the horizon, or the time when it sets.

2. The time at which the moon disappears below the horizon.

Use it for

Words that belong together

• at moonset
• before moonset
• moonset over the sea
• moonset time

On the page

By moonset, the frost had silvered every rung of the ladder.

The climbers began their descent well before moonset.

Usage notes

Moonset names either the event or its timing; it is distinct from sunrise, which concerns the sun. Sense 2: This sense names when the moon sets, rather than the disappearance itself.