Midday is the middle of the day, when the sun reaches its highest point in the sky. This happens around 12:00 noon, though the exact moment varies slightly depending on where you live and the time of year.

At midday, shadows are at their shortest because the sun shines almost directly overhead. Ancient people could tell it was midday by watching their shadows shrink. In many cultures, midday became the traditional time for the main meal of the day or for a rest period, since it's often the hottest part of the day.

You might hear someone say they'll meet you at midday instead of saying “noon” or “12:00.” The word has an old-fashioned, slightly formal feeling compared to just saying “noon,” but it means essentially the same thing. When reading adventure stories, you'll often see phrases like “by midday they had traveled fifteen miles” or “the midday sun beat down on the desert.”