sunrise

noun

sun·​rise ˈsən-ˌrīz 

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

Synonyms

• aurora
• cockcrow
• dawn
• dawning
• day
• daybreak
• daylight
• light
• morn
• morning
• sun
• sunup

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

The execution of Joseph Corcoran, 49, will take place at the Indiana State Prison in Michigan City before sunrise Wednesday morning. —Marina Johnson, The Courier-Journal, 16 Dec. 2024

Corcoran is set to be executed before sunrise on Dec. 18. —Kristine Phillips, The Indianapolis Star, 11 Dec. 2024

Here, the night often doesn’t get started till after midnight and sunrise sightings are guaranteed. —Rebecca Ann Hughes, Forbes, 4 Dec. 2024

The Thanksgiving day storm will largely be out of the East by sunrise but lake-effect snow will start up for areas downwind of the Great Lakes as Arctic air rushes over the record-warm lakes. —Mary Gilbert, CNN, 26 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing sunrise

• tequila sunrise

Kids Definition

sunrise

noun

sun·​rise ˈsən-ˌrīz 

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 

city in southeastern Florida west of Fort Lauderdale population 84,439