The abbreviation "pm" stands for the Latin phrase post meridiem , which means "after midday" or "after noon." It is used in the 12-hour clock system to indicate the time from noon until just before midnight
. In summary:
- am = ante meridiem = before midday (midnight to noon)
- pm = post meridiem = after midday (noon to midnight)
For example, 2 pm means 2 hours after noon, and 11 pm means 11 hours after noon, approaching midnight
. Additionally, "PM" can have other meanings depending on context, such as:
- Prime Minister (politics)
- Project Manager (business)
- Private Message (internet communication)
- Various scientific, technical, and cultural terms
But in the context of time, "pm" specifically refers to the period after noon in the 12-hour clock system.
