1
a
often Sun
: the luminous celestial body around which the earth and other planets revolve, from which they receive heat and light, which is composed mainly of hydrogen and helium, and which has a mean distance from earth of about 93,000,000 miles (150,000,000 kilometers), a linear diameter of 864,000 miles (1,390,000 kilometers), and a mass 332,000 times greater than earth
b
: a celestial body like the sun : star
2
: the heat or light radiated from the sun
played in the sun all day
3
: one resembling the sun (as in warmth or brilliance)
4
: the rising or setting of the sun
from sun to sun
see also:
sunned; sunning
: to expose to or as if to the rays of the sun
: to sun oneself
Sunday
Examples of sun in a Sentence
Noun
The rain has stopped and the sun is shining.
The sun rises in the east and sets in the west.
the warmth of the sun's rays
They dream of traveling to distant suns.
Try to keep out of the sun.
The cat lay basking in the sun.
Verb
People sunned themselves on the hillside.
Recent Examples on the Web
Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
At night, when the sun goes down, that’s my primary cue to reduce exposure to blue light from artificial sources like screens.
—Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 1 June 2026
Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 27 May 2026
And, in fact, Estefan has been sunning on Vero Beach along the Florida Atlantic coast watching the sea turtles lay their eggs, vibing with the exquisite wonder of nature.
—Felicia Feaster, AJC.com, 26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for sun
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
Large windows bring in natural light and classic PNW views of tall trees, lichen, moss, birds, rain, and sun.
—Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 2 June 2026
At night, when the sun goes down, that’s my primary cue to reduce exposure to blue light from artificial sources like screens.
—Katie Hunt, CNN Money, 1 June 2026
Verb
This one fully reclines for sunning your back and can also be adjusted to a more upright position for reading or watching the waves.
—Maggie Horton, PEOPLE, 27 May 2026
And, in fact, Estefan has been sunning on Vero Beach along the Florida Atlantic coast watching the sea turtles lay their eggs, vibing with the exquisite wonder of nature.
—Felicia Feaster, AJC.com, 26 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for sun
Cite this Entry
“Sun.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sun. Accessed 6 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sun
1 of 2 noun1
a
: the star around which the planets revolve, from which they receive heat and light, and which has an average distance from the earth of about 93,000,000 miles (150,000,000 kilometers), a diameter of 864,000 miles (1,390,000 kilometers), and a mass 332,000 times greater than earth
b
: a star like the sun
2
: the heat or light given off by the sun : sunshine
3
: one resembling the sun usually in brilliance
4
: the rising or setting of the sun
from sun to sun
sun
2 of 2 verb
sunned; sunning
1
: to expose to or as if to the rays of the sun
2
: to sun oneself
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