What the Full Form of AM and PM in English and Hindi

Published: May 8, 2025

Have you ever wondered what the full form of AM and PM is? These two little abbreviations always pop up when we’re talking about time, whether it’s scheduling an appointment, catching a train, or simply checking the clock.

But how many of us know what AM and PM stand for? Don’t worry, you’re not alone! In this post, we’ll dive into the full form of AM PM and explore what they mean in different contexts.

So, if you’re curious about the origin of these terms or want to know how they’re used in police jobs, keep reading!

What Does It Stand For?

AM and PM are abbreviations that help us divide the 24-hour day into two distinct halves, using the 12-hour clock system. These terms are derived from Latin and have specific meanings that relate to the time of day.

AM stands for Ante Meridiem, which is Latin for “before midday.” It refers to the hours from midnight until noon (11:59 AM). This period represents the first half of the day, when the sun rises and reaches its highest point at noon.

PM stands for Post Meridiem, which is Latin for “after midday.” It refers to the hours from noon (12:00 PM) to just before midnight (11:59 PM). This period represents the second half of the day, which includes the afternoon and evening hours.

The use of AM and PM helps clarify whether the time being referred to is in the morning (AM) or the afternoon/evening (PM). Without these distinctions, times such as 6:00 could be confusing—6:00 AM is morning, while 6:00 PM is evening.

These terms make it easier for us to communicate and schedule events, meetings, and appointments accurately, especially when the 12-hour clock system is used.

What is the Full Form of AM PM in English?

AM (Ante Meridiem) and PM (Post Meridiem)

In the English language, AM and PM are widely used to represent different parts of the day in the 12-hour clock system.

The full form of AM and PM comes from Latin, and each abbreviation has a specific meaning that helps us understand the time of day more clearly.

AM (Ante Meridiem)

The full form of AM is “Ante Meridiem,” which is Latin for “before midday.” This term refers to the time period from midnight (12:00 AM) to just before noon (11:59 AM).

It includes all the hours from 12:00 AM (midnight) to 11:59 AM, which is considered the first half of the day. When we say “8:00 AM,” we’re referring to the morning time, when the sun is just rising or already up, depending on the exact time.

PM (Post Meridiem)

The full form of PM is “Post Meridiem,” which is Latin for “after midday.” This term refers to the period from noon (12:00 PM) to just before midnight (11:59 PM). It includes all the hours after 12:00 PM, which is the second half of the day.

When we say “6:00 PM,” we are referring to the evening hours after noon, when the sun begins to set.

The reason for these terms—AM and PM—is to clearly distinguish between the two halves of the day, as the 12-hour clock system uses the same set of numbers (1 to 12) for both the morning and afternoon/evening.

By using AM for the morning hours and PM for the afternoon and evening hours, we avoid any confusion about what time is being referred to.

What is the Full Form of AM PM in Hindi?

AM और PM का उपयोग समय को सही तरीके से समझाने के लिए किया जाता है, खासकर जब हम 12 घंटे के घड़ी प्रणाली (12-hour clock system) का उपयोग करते हैं। इन दोनों संक्षिप्त रूपों का पूरा रूप लैटिन से लिया गया है और ये दिन के दो अलग-अलग हिस्सों को दर्शाने के लिए उपयोग किए जाते हैं।

AM (Ante Meridiem)

AM का पूरा रूप “Ante Meridiem” है, जो लैटिन में “पूर्व मध्याह्न” (Purv Madhyahn) के रूप में अनुवादित होता है। इसका अर्थ है “दोपहर से पहले”। यह समय अवधि मध्यरात्रि (12:00 AM) से लेकर दोपहर (11:59 AM) तक होती है। यह दिन का पहला भाग होता है, जो सुबह से लेकर दोपहर तक के समय को कवर करता है। जब हम कहते हैं “8:00 AM”, तो इसका मतलब होता है सुबह का समय, जब सूरज उग चुका होता है या अभी उग रहा होता है।

PM (Post Meridiem)

PM का पूरा रूप “Post Meridiem” है, जो लैटिन में “अपराह्न” (Aparahhn) के रूप में अनुवादित होता है। इसका अर्थ है “दोपहर के बाद”। यह समय अवधि दोपहर (12:00 PM) से लेकर मध्यरात्रि (11:59 PM) तक होती है। यह दिन का दूसरा भाग होता है, जिसमें दोपहर से लेकर रात तक का समय शामिल होता है। जब हम कहते हैं “6:00 PM”, तो इसका मतलब होता है शाम का समय, जो दोपहर के बाद होता है।

AM और PM का उपयोग इसलिए किया जाता है ताकि हम दिन के दोनों हिस्सों को अलग-अलग पहचान सकें, क्योंकि 12 घंटे की घड़ी प्रणाली में दोनों समय अवधि (सुबह और शाम) के लिए एक ही घंटे की संख्या का उपयोग किया जाता है। AM और PM के बिना, हमें यह समझने में कठिनाई हो सकती है कि समय सुबह का है या शाम का।

उदाहरण के लिए, जब आप 9:00 AM पर कोई मीटिंग निर्धारित करते हैं, तो इसका मतलब है कि मीटिंग सुबह 9 बजे होगी, जबकि 9:00 PM का मतलब है कि मीटिंग शाम 9 बजे होगी।

FAQs

What does AM stand for?

AM stands for “Ante Meridiem,” which is Latin for “before midday.” It refers to the time from midnight (12:00 AM) to noon (11:59 AM), covering the first half of the day.

What does PM stand for?

PM stands for “Post Meridiem,” which is Latin for “after midday.” It refers to the time from noon (12:00 PM) to midnight (11:59 PM), covering the second half of the day.

What is the difference between AM and PM?

The main difference is the time of day they represent. AM refers to the time from midnight to noon (12:00 AM to 11:59 AM), while PM refers to the time from noon to midnight (12:00 PM to 11:59 PM).

Can AM and PM be used in a 24-hour clock system?

No, in the 24-hour clock system, there is no need for AM and PM. Instead, the hours run from 00:00 (midnight) to 23:59 (just before midnight), eliminating the need for these abbreviations.

Why is it important to use AM and PM?

AM and PM are important because they help clearly distinguish between the morning and afternoon/evening times in the 12-hour clock system. Without them, it would be unclear whether times like 6:00 refer to the morning or evening.

Conclusion

In simple terms, AM and PM are used to tell us whether it’s morning or afternoon/evening. AM stands for “Ante Meridiem,” meaning “before midday,” and refers to the time from midnight to noon.

PM stands for “Post Meridiem,” meaning “after midday,” and refers to the time from noon to midnight. These terms help us understand and organize time more clearly, especially in the 12-hour clock system.

Now that you know their full forms and meanings, it’ll be easier for you to use them correctly in daily life!

Extra Points

No AM/PM in 24-Hour Format: In the 24-hour clock system, we don’t need AM or PM because the time is written from 00:00 (midnight) to 23:59 (just before midnight), making it clearer without any confusion.
AM and PM Are Universal: AM and PM are used all over the world, especially in countries that follow the 12-hour clock system, so it’s a handy way to talk about time no matter where you are.
AM and PM Can Be Confusing: Sometimes, it can be tricky to remember whether something is in the AM or PM, especially if it’s 12:00 (noon or midnight). To make things clearer, always check whether it’s morning or afternoon/evening.
In Other Languages: While AM and PM are used in English, they are also used in many other languages, though the terms might be translated differently. In Hindi, for example, AM is “पूर्व मध्याह्न” (Purv Madhyahn), and PM is “अपराह्न” (Aparahhn).
Common Use in Digital Devices: Most digital clocks, phones, and computers display time in 12-hour format with AM and PM, so understanding them helps you use these devices easily.