sunrise

noun

sun·​rise ˈsən-ˌrīz How to pronounce sunrise (audio)
1
: the apparent rising of the sun above the horizon
also : the accompanying atmospheric effects
2
: the time when the upper limb of the sun appears above the horizon as a result of the diurnal rotation of the earth

Examples of sunrise in a Sentence

We were up before sunrise. We worked from sunrise to sunset. We watched the sunrise from the beach. the pink light of sunrise
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Part of a Benjamin Moore paint warehouse in Lewisville, Texas, collapsed amid powerful winds just before sunrise, CNN affiliate KTVT reported. Mary Gilbert, CNN, 4 Mar. 2025 Four planets are expected to be visible right before sunrise in late August 2025, according to NASA. Greta Cross, USA TODAY, 28 Feb. 2025 Mars, meanwhile, will be in the eastern sky and the last planet to set before sunrise. Terry Dickerson, NBC News, 27 Feb. 2025 After sunrise, the city went to work clearing an encampment along the parkway between the 110 Freeway and the flood channel that’s existed there since the beginning of the pandemic. Nathan Solis, Los Angeles Times, 25 Feb. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sunrise

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sunrise was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

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Cite this Entry

“Sunrise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sunrise. Accessed 13 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

sunrise

noun
sun·​rise ˈsən-ˌrīz How to pronounce sunrise (audio)
1
: the apparent rising of the sun above the horizon
also : the accompanying atmospheric effects (as color)
2
: the time at which the sun rises

Geographical Definition

Sunrise

geographical name

Sun·​rise ˈsən-ˌrīz How to pronounce Sunrise (audio)
city in southeastern Florida west of Fort Lauderdale population 84,439

More from Merriam-Webster on sunrise

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