A.M. and P.M. start immediately after Midnight and Noon respectively.
This means that 00:00 A.M. or 00:00 P.M. (or 12:00 A.M. and 12:00 P.M.) have no meaning.
Every day starts precisely at midnight and A.M. starts immediately after that point in time e.g. 00:00:01 A.M. (see also leap seconds )
When scheduling around midnight, prefer to use either 23:59 or 00:01 to avoid confusion as to which day is being referred to.
It is after Noon that P.M. starts e.g. 00:00:01 PM (12:00:01)
A.M. abbreviation ante meridiem | P.M. abbreviation post meridiem |
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Main Entry: an·te me·ri·di·em Pronunciation: "an-ti-m&-'ri-dE-&m, -dE-"em Function: adjective Etymology: Latin Date: 1563 Meaning: being before noon Abbreviation a.m. | Main Entry: post me·ri·di·em Pronunciation: -m&-'ri-dE-&m, -"em Function: adjective Etymology: Latin Date: 1647 Meaning: being after noon Abbreviation p.m. |