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 of sunrise

• day
• dawn
• morning
• morn
• dawning
• daybreak
• daylight

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

Food and drink From sunrise to sunset, breakfast to dinner, Oku Andalusia really gets it right. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 1 Oct. 2026

Normally in early October, Sacramento’s lows cool into the mid-50s by sunrise. — Sean MacAday, Sacbee.com, 1 Oct. 2026

At other times of the year low-orbit satellites are visible only after sunset or before sunrise, especially from lower latitudes. — Jackie Wattles, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2026

Formed 375 million years ago, give or take, the rock has a picturesque arch that’s particularly beautiful at sunrise and sunset. — Maryam Siddiqi, Travel + Leisure, 28 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing sunrise

• tequila sunrise

Rhymes for sunrise

• advise
• applies
• apprise
• arise
• assize
• baptize
• belies
• bitwise
• capsize
• chastise
• chordwise
• clockwise

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