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

The aurora is not visible during daylight hours and is usually seen just after sunset or just before sunrise, USA TODAY reported. —Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 12 Nov. 2025

The aurora is not visible during daylight hours and is usually seen just after sunset or just before sunrise. —Melina Khan, USA Today, 12 Nov. 2025

Melatonin levels peak in the early morning and taper down after sunrise. —Veronique Greenwood, Time, 10 Nov. 2025

Start your morning with sunrise yoga or unwind by the rooftop infinity pool, then head to The Piano Bar, where live jazz plays nine times a week. —Staff Author, Southern Living, 9 Nov. 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