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

• 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

Look for the trio above the eastern horizon just before sunrise. —Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 1 Oct. 2025

Outside a county jail east of central Memphis, federal and state law enforcement – some in FBI vests – organized around sunrise Wednesday. —Devon M. Sayers, CNN Money, 1 Oct. 2025

Perched atop a rugged hill, our suite had a private pool, an outdoor shower and dining area, and postcard views of the sparkling waters–the sunrises from our east-facing bedroom were particularly magical. —Talia Abbas, Vogue, 30 Sep. 2025

Get out there right after sunrise. —Andy Wilcox, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Sep. 2025

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 population 84,439