"Ante Meridiem," often abbreviated as AM, is a Latin term that translates to "before midday." It is used to designate the time from midnight (12:00 AM) until just before noon (11:59 AM). This system helps distinguish morning hours from afternoon hours in the 12-hour clock format. The counterpart to AM is "Post Meridiem," or PM, which refers to the time from noon (12:00 PM) to midnight (11:59 PM). Together, these terms help people communicate time more clearly, especially in contexts like scheduling events or setting appointments.