sunscreen

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noun sun·screen \ -ˌskrēn \

Definition of sunscreen

1 :a screen to protect against sun

2 :a preparation (such as a lotion) applied to the skin to prevent sunburn (as by chemically absorbing ultraviolet radiation); also :its active ingredient (as benzophenone) — compare sunblock

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sunscreening

adjective

See sunscreen defined for English-language learners

See sunscreen defined for kids

Recent Examples of sunscreen from the Web

Take sunscreen and water, and wear protective clothing.

— Washington Post, "D.C. community calendar, Aug. 31-Sept. 6, 2017," 30 Aug. 2017
American summers have always smelled to me like a sticky puddle of cherry Popsicles, the stale smell of freezer burn, and plasticky sunscreen.

— kathleen hou, The Cut, "This New Perfume Smells Like Warm Silk," 25 Aug. 2017
Sonya Dakar: Spend $75 and get a free GRABxGO sunscreen trio for face and lip ($46 value).

— erin reimel, Glamour, "The Best Labor Day Beauty Sales for 2017," 25 Aug. 2017
Anyone who rode the Metrolink from Los Angeles to San Diego over the past decade might have spotted Sam along the shore: slathered in sunscreen to protect his alabaster skin, waves up to his waist, hurling footballs over five-foot swells.

— lee jenkins, SI.com, "The House That Built Sam Darnold," 7 Aug. 2017
Fans are advised to dress properly for the heat, drink lots of fluids and apply their sunscreen.

— rick rothacker, charlotteobserver, "Here’s what will be different when the PGA Championship comes to Charlotte," 28 July 2017
Time to charge your cellphone, pack some sunscreen, grab your tickets and figure out a parking plan.

— leigh morgan, AL.com, "Sloss Fest forecast: What to expect from the weather this weekend," 14 July 2017
Summer beach days are for sandcastles, sunscreen, and much needed relaxation, but in Alabama, a flesh-eating bacteria is keeping people far from the shores.

— carly breit, Country Living, "Beachgoers Beware: There's a Flesh-Eating Bacteria in Alabama's Waters," 13 July 2017
This sunscreen is formulated with coconut oil and botanicals, which combine in a truly natural SPF blocker.

— liza myers, Bon Appetit, "7 Products For a Cool, Calm, and Delicious Summer," 7 July 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'sunscreen.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of sunscreen

1738

SUNSCREEN Defined for English Language Learners

sunscreen

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noun

Definition of sunscreen for English Language Learners

: a lotion that you put on your skin to prevent sunburn by blocking out some of the sun's rays

SUNSCREEN Defined for Kids

sunscreen

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noun sun·screen \ ˈsən-ˌskrēn \

Definition of sunscreen for Students

:a preparation applied to the skin to prevent sunburn usually by chemically absorbing the sun's ultraviolet radiation

Medical Dictionary

sunscreen

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noun sun·screen \ -ˌskrēn \

medical Definition of sunscreen

:a preparation (as a lotion) applied to the skin to prevent sunburn (as by chemically absorbing ultraviolet radiation); also :its active ingredient (as benzophenone) — compare sunblock

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