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
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
For everything from a sunrise espresso to late‑night Negronis, there’s also the lobby bar with its signature menu of international favorites like burgers, salads, and sandwiches.
—
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Feb. 2026
Then, before sunrise Sunday morning, an army helicopter dropped more than a dozen Mexican special forces near Oseguera’s hideout in the town of Tapalpa, according to sources familiar with the operations.
—Steve Fisher, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026
Mars is transiting from the evening to the morning sky and will become visible again before sunrise in April.
—Karl Hille, Baltimore Sun, 24 Feb. 2026
Cars began circulating in Guadalajara before sunrise Monday with the start of the work week, a notable change from Sunday when Jalisco's state capital and Mexico's second-largest city was almost completely shut down as fearful residents stayed home.
—ABC News, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sunrise
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Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 24 Feb. 2026
Then, before sunrise Sunday morning, an army helicopter dropped more than a dozen Mexican special forces near Oseguera’s hideout in the town of Tapalpa, according to sources familiar with the operations.
—Steve Fisher, Los Angeles Times, 24 Feb. 2026
Mars is transiting from the evening to the morning sky and will become visible again before sunrise in April.
—Karl Hille, Baltimore Sun, 24 Feb. 2026
Cars began circulating in Guadalajara before sunrise Monday with the start of the work week, a notable change from Sunday when Jalisco's state capital and Mexico's second-largest city was almost completely shut down as fearful residents stayed home.
—ABC News, 23 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for sunrise
Cite this Entry
“Sunrise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sunrise. Accessed 26 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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