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

These storms, which are expected to weaken after sunrise, are affecting southeast Nebraska, northeast Kansas and northern Missouri and are expected to remain north of Interstate 70. —Kansas City Star, 24 July 2025

Travelers can do just that from overlooks on the South Rim, such as Mather Point and popular sunrise/sunset viewing spot Hopi Point, or the less crowded North Rim via Cape Royal and Bright Angel Point. —Michael Salerno, AZCentral.com, 22 July 2025

On Wednesday, July 23, just before sunrise, a whisper-thin crescent moon will appear just above the east-northeastern horizon — but that’s not all. —Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 22 July 2025

Guest rooms begin on the 27th floor and have sweeping views of the bay, while the open-air bath frames Mount Fuji during sunrise and sunset. —Kim Kay, Travel + Leisure, 20 July 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