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 cataclysmic flood waters rushed through Camp Mystic before sunrise on July 4. —Karina Tsui, CNN Money, 15 Oct. 2025

Orion's Belt Look for the three stars that make up the distinctive formation of Orion's Belt — Alnitak, Alnilam and Mintaka — shining roughly 40 degrees above the southern horizon before sunrise. —Anthony Wood, Space.com, 14 Oct. 2025

Trail blazers Hiking essentials for outdoor-loving dogs If your idea of a good time is a sunrise hike, check out this pet gear that is built for rugged trails and mountain views. —Jessica Moore, USA Today, 14 Oct. 2025

Early morning fog will burn off shortly after sunrise and low-level foggy clouds will clear out by late morning. —Kaycee Sloan, Cincinnati Enquirer, 13 Oct. 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