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

Wednesday begins with temperatures in the low to mid-20s across the metro around sunrise. —Cutter Martin, CBS News, 17 Mar. 2026

Best viewed near Brennecke’s Beach, east of the main lifeguard tower, dozens of turtles might appear, usually staying until sunrise. —Ben Davidson, Mercury News, 16 Mar. 2026

Watch the sunrise over fishing boats at the Ponza harbor and the sunset from Le Forna. —Kristina Kasparian, Travel + Leisure, 15 Mar. 2026

The yoga mats are full by sunrise, and a good chunk of guests are still out surfing at sunset. —Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 14 Mar. 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