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

Extreme Sunrise And Sunset Points The sun’s path across the sky also reaches its annual extremes on the solstice, causing extreme sunrises and sunsets. —Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026

Today will see 15 hours and 4 minutes between sunrise and sunset. —Ron Smiley, CBS News, 19 June 2026

Monterey, California Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta Experience the magic of the world’s largest air-balloon festival when more than 500 balloons, from sunrise ascensions to glowing night balloons, lift off from Balloon Fiesta Park in October. —Crystal Tate, USA Today, 19 June 2026

Stand in the middle of the circle at sunrise on the summer solstice — the longest day of the year — and the sun appears aligned with the Heel Stone, to the northeast of the circle, per the BBC. —Adam England, PEOPLE, 18 June 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 population 84,439