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
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
Deer typically are most active and browsing at dusk and right before sunrise, says Mengak.
—
Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 7 June 2025
To increase your chances of spotting the northern lights, point your eyes to the sky in the hours after sunset and just before sunrise (specifically, between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time).
—Skyler Caruso, People.com, 6 June 2025
Humidity levels near the fire were around 45% and gradually increased just before sunrise to 55% around 7 a.m., according to the weather service.
—Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2025
Accommodations range from 21 airy beachfront villas with private pools and tropical walled gardens,to five hilltop, three-to-five-bedroom grand residences featuring sprawling outdoor living spaces and spectacular views from sunrise to sunset, along with a personal golf buggy, butler, and nanny.
—Alexandra Kirkman, Robb Report, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for sunrise
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Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 7 June 2025
To increase your chances of spotting the northern lights, point your eyes to the sky in the hours after sunset and just before sunrise (specifically, between 10 p.m. and 2 a.m. local time).
—Skyler Caruso, People.com, 6 June 2025
Humidity levels near the fire were around 45% and gradually increased just before sunrise to 55% around 7 a.m., according to the weather service.
—Summer Lin, Los Angeles Times, 5 June 2025
Accommodations range from 21 airy beachfront villas with private pools and tropical walled gardens,to five hilltop, three-to-five-bedroom grand residences featuring sprawling outdoor living spaces and spectacular views from sunrise to sunset, along with a personal golf buggy, butler, and nanny.
—Alexandra Kirkman, Robb Report, 29 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for sunrise
Cite this Entry
“Sunrise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sunrise. Accessed 11 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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