1
a
often Sun
: the luminous celestial body around which the earth and other planets revolve, from which they receive heat and light, which is composed mainly of hydrogen and helium, and which has a mean distance from earth of about 93,000,000 miles (150,000,000 kilometers), a linear diameter of 864,000 miles (1,390,000 kilometers), and a mass 332,000 times greater than earth
b
: a celestial body like the sun : star
2
: the heat or light radiated from the sun
played in the sun all day
3
: one resembling the sun (as in warmth or brilliance)
4
: the rising or setting of the sun
from sun to sun
see also:
sunned; sunning
: to expose to or as if to the rays of the sun
: to sun oneself
Sunday
Examples of sun in a Sentence
Noun
The rain has stopped and the sun is shining.
The sun rises in the east and sets in the west.
the warmth of the sun's rays
They dream of traveling to distant suns.
Try to keep out of the sun.
The cat lay basking in the sun.
Verb
People sunned themselves on the hillside.
Recent Examples on the Web
Alanna Martine Kilkeary,
Glamour,
23 June 2026
And among the particularly popular swag handed out by various brands around the Croisette were sun lotion, as well as hand and electric fans.
—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
22 June 2026
Kathleen Turner,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
Rent a tube and hop into this spring-fed jewel that stays a refreshing 72 degrees Fahrenheit year-round and let the flow carry you past ancient cypress trees, sunning turtles, and wading birds.
—
Terry Ward,
Travel + Leisure,
17 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for sun
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
Our mature beauty testers are a fan of Round Lab new formula that softens and refines skin, all while offering sun protection.
—
Alanna Martine Kilkeary,
Glamour,
23 June 2026
And among the particularly popular swag handed out by various brands around the Croisette were sun lotion, as well as hand and electric fans.
—
Georg Szalai,
HollywoodReporter,
22 June 2026
Verb
On the beach club, folding platforms reveal a 270-degree view, making dining, sunning, and relaxing a pleasure, while serving as a space to launch water sports activities.
—
Kathleen Turner,
Forbes.com,
23 June 2026
Rent a tube and hop into this spring-fed jewel that stays a refreshing 72 degrees Fahrenheit year-round and let the flow carry you past ancient cypress trees, sunning turtles, and wading birds.
—
Terry Ward,
Travel + Leisure,
17 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for sun
Cite this Entry
“Sun.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sun. Accessed 25 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sun
1 of 2 noun1
a
: the star around which the planets revolve, from which they receive heat and light, and which has an average distance from the earth of about 93,000,000 miles (150,000,000 kilometers), a diameter of 864,000 miles (1,390,000 kilometers), and a mass 332,000 times greater than earth
b
: a star like the sun
2
: the heat or light given off by the sun : sunshine
3
: one resembling the sun usually in brilliance
4
: the rising or setting of the sun
from sun to sun
sun
2 of 2 verb
sunned; sunning
1
: to expose to or as if to the rays of the sun
2
: to sun oneself
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