sunset

1 of 3

noun

sun·​set ˈsən-ˌset 

1

: the apparent descent of the sun below the horizon

also : the accompanying atmospheric effects

2

: the time when the upper limb of the sun disappears below the horizon as a result of the diurnal rotation of the earth

3

: a period of decline

especially : old age

sunset

2 of 3

adjective

: stipulating the periodic review of government agencies and programs in order to continue their existence

sunset laws

sunset

3 of 3

verb

sunsetted; sunsetting

1

transitive US : to cause or allow (something, such as a law) to lapse, end, or be terminated

And yet, even though he was part of the coalition, Obama offered an amendment … that would have sunsetted the merit-based evaluation system for immigrants after five years.

—Jake Tapper

In an effort to cut back on projects, Google decided to sunset Google Reader …

—Tristan Louis

2

intransitive US : to lapse or come to an end : expire

laws that will sunset at the end of the year

Since the credit will sunset at the end of 2016, its fate could rest in the hands of a new Congress and a new president—who might not necessarily see the value in reinstating the credit.

—Eric S. Peterson

Synonyms

Noun

• dusk
• night
• evening
• twilight
• sundown

Examples of sunset in a Sentence

Noun

We worked from sunrise to sunset.

the golden light of sunset

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Her drink and bikini also matched the fiery orange sunset behind her. —Charna Flam, People.com, 3 Sep. 2025

After signing a one-year deal in free agency with the storied franchise, the 41-year-old quarterback who will turn 42 in December is looking to ride off into the sunset with a Super Bowl win. —Evan Massey, MSNBC Newsweek, 2 Sep. 2025

Adjective

Observing Tips As well as being on time to observe this post-sunset sky sight, try to bring along a pair of binoculars. —Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2025

Post-sunset missions also make the Falcon 9 rocket easier to see soaring over Arizona. —Eric Lagatta, AZCentral.com, 21 Aug. 2025

Verb

DanceWorks Chicago, a longtime incubator that wrote the book on springboarding early career performers, plans to sunset at the end of the year, aligned with founding artistic director Julie Nakagawa’s retirement. —Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 3 Sep. 2025

Not only is the series scheduled to sunset in May 2026, but CBS is ending The Late Show franchise altogether. —Christopher Rudolph, People.com, 28 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

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

Adjective

1974, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1976, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for sunset

• abet
• asset
• baguette
• banquette
• barbette
• beget
• beset
• brevet
• briquette
• brunet
• brunette
• burette

Kids Definition

sunset

noun

sun·​set

-ˌset

1

: the apparent sinking of the sun below the horizon

also : the accompanying atmospheric effects

2

: the time at which the sun sets

Legal Definition

sunset

adjective

sun·​set

: having or being a provision stipulating the termination or repeal of something (as a law, grant, or insurance coverage) on a specified date

sunset laws requiring periodic review of programs to justify their continuance