dawned; dawning; dawns
1
: to begin to grow light as the sun rises
waited for the day to dawn
2
: to begin to appear or develop
A new era is dawning.
3
: to begin to be perceived or understood
The truth finally dawned on us.
Examples of dawn in a Sentence
Verb
They waited for the day to dawn.
A new age is dawning.
Noun
as dawn breaks over the city
Winter brings late dawns and early sunsets.
Recent Examples on the Web
Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 25 Jan. 2026
Season 1 had an ideal structure in the trio of obstacles engineered by Alexandre, dovetailing with Camille and Issei’s dawning acceptance of each other as allies instead of enemies.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 21 Jan. 2026
Eric Andersson, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026
Though flights exist, many travelers use the overland route for cost and convenience, arriving in Bicol at dawn with views of Mayon’s famed symmetrical cone.
—Maria Williams, USA Today, 11 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dawn
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Verb
Sunday dawned sunny and clear with blue skies and little wind, allowing the climb to go ahead.
—Jessie Yeung, CNN Money, 25 Jan. 2026
Season 1 had an ideal structure in the trio of obstacles engineered by Alexandre, dovetailing with Camille and Issei’s dawning acceptance of each other as allies instead of enemies.
—Alison Herman, Variety, 21 Jan. 2026
Noun
The Nightingale — which is set for release in 2027 — is based on Kristin Hannah’s historical fiction novel about two sisters in France at the dawn of World War II.
—Eric Andersson, PEOPLE, 12 Jan. 2026
Though flights exist, many travelers use the overland route for cost and convenience, arriving in Bicol at dawn with views of Mayon’s famed symmetrical cone.
—Maria Williams, USA Today, 11 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for dawn
Cite this Entry
“Dawn.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/dawn. Accessed 27 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
dawn
1 of 2 verb
ˈdȯn 
ˈdän
1
: to begin to grow light as the sun rises
waited for the day to dawn
2
: to begin to appear or develop
a smile dawned on her face
3
: to begin to be understood
the solution dawned on him
dawn
2 of 2 noun1
: the first appearance of light in the morning
2
: a first appearance : beginning
the dawn of a new age
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