What is the Difference Between AM and PM?

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The difference between AM and PM lies in the time of day they represent. AM and PM are abbreviations for Ante Meridiem and Post Meridiem, respectively, which are Latin terms used to refer to time.

  • AM stands for Ante Meridiem, which means "before midday" or "before noon". It represents the time from midnight to 11:59 AM. For example, 5 AM is early in the morning, and 11 AM is late in the morning.
  • PM stands for Post Meridiem, which means "after midday" or "after noon". It represents the time from noon to 11:59 PM. For example, 5 PM is late in the afternoon, and 11 PM is one hour before midnight.

The 12-hour clock system divides the 24 hours of a day into two periods, with the first 12-hour period designated as AM and the second 12-hour period marked as PM. This system is commonly used in countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia.

Comparative Table: AM vs PM

The difference between AM and PM lies in the time of day they represent. Here is a table summarizing the differences:

Feature AM PM
Full Form Ante Meridiem Post Meridiem
Meaning Before Noon After Noon
Time Range Midnight to 11:59 AM 12:00 PM to Midnight
Usage Morning Hours Afternoon and Evening Hours

AM stands for "Ante Meridiem" and represents the time before noon, typically used to refer to the morning hours. On the other hand, PM stands for "Post Meridiem" and represents the time after noon, generally used to refer to the afternoon and evening hours.