noun
harvest moon; mid-autumn moon
Specifically the full moon on the 15th night of the 8th lunar month (around September). Strongly associated with moon-viewing traditions. Often appears in the phrase 中秋の名月.
See also: 中秋の名月 (ちゅうしゅうのめいげつ) · 中秋 (ちゅうしゅう)
今夜は中秋の名月です。
Tonight is the harvest moon.
名月を眺めながら団子を食べた。
We ate dango while gazing at the harvest moon.
noun
bright moon; full moon
Only when written 明月
General term for a bright or full moon, not limited to the autumn harvest moon. This sense is restricted to the 明月 spelling, but 名月 is also used.
明月が夜空に輝いていた。
A bright moon was shining in the night sky.