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

Many visitors choose to visit Mesa Arch at sunrise, as the first rays of the sun illuminate the underside of the arch, creating a warm orange glow. —Taryn White, Travel + Leisure, 25 Nov. 2025

The home’s primary bedroom includes a private balcony to watch the sunrise or sunset, and comes with a private bathroom and a lot of closet space. —Joseph Hernandez, Kansas City Star, 23 Nov. 2025

Dappled sunlight peers through the trees into living spaces designed to capture the gentle hues of sunrise and sunset. —Sacbee.com, 22 Nov. 2025

That means if riding within 30 minutes of sunrise or sunset, scooters need to have a white light on the front and a red light or reflector on the back, both visible from 500 feet away. —Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 22 Nov. 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