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

Panoramic view of Busan city, South Korea taken on sunrise. —Lim Hui Jie,nur Hikmah Md Ali, CNBC, 2 Dec. 2025

Heavy foot traffic near the summit is common in the early-morning hours because many hikers attempt to time their climb for the sunrise. —Soo Kim, MSNBC Newsweek, 1 Dec. 2025

Other highlights include an outdoor plunge pool and secluded lounge areas, designed for lingering from sunrise to late-night cocktails. —Amy Louise Bailey, Travel + Leisure, 1 Dec. 2025

Pimiento cheese is a brilliant way to turn a breakfast casserole into something the whole family will be scooping up shortly after sunrise. —Kimberly Holland, Southern Living, 1 Dec. 2025

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