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

Bird's-eye view of central Tokyo including Tokyo Tower at sunrise hours. —Chloe Taylor, CNBC, 1 May 2026

Be sure to book a room facing the bay for gorgeous sunrise views from your own balcony. —Karon Warren, AJC.com, 30 Apr. 2026

There is no bad angle here, especially when enjoying the sunrise or sunset from the infinity pool on the 19th floor. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 30 Apr. 2026

End Where the Mountains Meet the Sea Cap off your trip in Acadia National Park, where the Cadillac Mountain summit catches some of the earliest sunrises in the country. —Lauren Schuster, Miami Herald, 29 Apr. 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 population 84,439