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

Coates' mother described him as an avid fisherman who spent every day chasing sunrises and sunsets, making his disappearance even more devastating for the family. — Ashley Paul, CBS News, 12 Nov. 2026

The Beneath Shadow of the Sun experience kicks off with a private two-hour tour of the Pyramids of Giza at sunrise. — Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 12 Nov. 2026

Houston metro area showers should ease after sunrise Wednesday, but lingering clouds and a few passing showers could affect Veterans Day events before drier air arrives late at night. — Newsroom Meteorologist, Houston Chronicle, 11 Nov. 2026

Upstairs, Dirand took down walls so that the primary bedroom runs the full width of the house, capturing light from sunrise over the ocean to sunset over the garden. — Lucas Oliver Mill, Architectural Digest, 11 Nov. 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