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

The best time to see Mercury during its greatest elongation is about 30 minutes before sunrise, according to EarthSky. —Saleen Martin, USA Today, 19 Aug. 2025

To catch a glimpse, set your alarm for 45 minutes before sunrise and look low toward the east-northeast horizon. —Joe Rao, Space.com, 18 Aug. 2025

During the weeks in Ohio, Vrabel routinely drove to the facility and worked out with the training staff, often before sunrise. —Dianna Russini, New York Times, 18 Aug. 2025

Mercury, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus and Neptune are all making their appearance in the eastern sky just before sunrise, offering a unique opportunity to witness this celestial phenomenon. —Maria Azzurra Volpe, MSNBC Newsweek, 15 Aug. 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