sun

1 of 3

noun

1
a
often capitalized : the luminous celestial body around which the earth and other planets revolve, from which they receive heat and light, which is composed mainly of hydrogen and helium, and which has a mean distance from earth of about 93,000,000 miles (150,000,000 kilometers), a linear diameter of 864,000 miles (1,390,000 kilometers), and a mass 332,000 times greater than earth
b
: a celestial body like the sun : star
2
: the heat or light radiated from the sun
played in the sun all day
3
: one resembling the sun (as in warmth or brilliance)
4
: the rising or setting of the sun
from sun to sun
5

sun

2 of 3

verb

sunned; sunning

transitive verb

: to expose to or as if to the rays of the sun

intransitive verb

: to sun oneself

Sun

3 of 3

abbreviation

Sunday
Phrases
in the sun
: in the public eye
under the sun
: in the world : on earth

Examples of sun in a Sentence

Noun The rain has stopped and the sun is shining. The sun rises in the east and sets in the west. the warmth of the sun's rays They dream of traveling to distant suns. Try to keep out of the sun. The cat lay basking in the sun. Verb People sunned themselves on the hillside.
Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Noun
In the calm waters off Seal Beach, California, surfers are currently busy catching the best waves and beachgoers are soaking up the last of the summer sun before autumn is in full swing. Melissa Cristina Marquez, Forbes, 3 Nov. 2024 Ruled by the sun, Leo is often recognized for its creativity, confidence and desire to be seen and appreciated. Valerie Mesa, People.com, 3 Nov. 2024
Verb
Intervals of clouds and sun with a couple of showers; breezy and cooler. Elizabeth B. Kim, The Enquirer, 15 Oct. 2024 Finally, justice for the beachy brunette: a light, sandy, brown-haired chick who can surf and sun with the best of them. Loren Savini, Allure, 3 Aug. 2024 See all Example Sentences for sun 

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English sunne, from Old English; akin to Old High German sunna sun, Latin sol — more at solar

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Time Traveler
The first known use of sun was before the 12th century

Dictionary Entries Near sun

Cite this Entry

“Sun.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sun. Accessed 14 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

sun

1 of 2 noun
1
a
: the star around which the planets revolve, from which they receive heat and light, and which has an average distance from the earth of about 93,000,000 miles (150,000,000 kilometers), a diameter of 864,000 miles (1,390,000 kilometers), and a mass 332,000 times greater than earth
b
: a star like the sun
2
: the heat or light given off by the sun : sunshine
3
: one resembling the sun usually in brilliance
4
: the rising or setting of the sun
from sun to sun

sun

2 of 2 verb
sunned; sunning
1
: to expose to or as if to the rays of the sun
2
: to sun oneself

More from Merriam-Webster on sun

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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