sunscreen

noun

sun·​screen ˈsən-ˌskrēn 

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

sunscreening

ˈsən-ˌskrē-niŋ 

adjective

Examples of sunscreen in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

After lubing up with sunscreen and Vaseline, Turpin jumped into the 50-degree water in complete darkness. — Rachel Roberts, Idaho Statesman, 18 Sep. 2026

The good news is there are now many excellent tinted sunscreen options that blend well into darker skin tones with no white cast, so there’s no reason to skip SPF. — Leslie Baumann, Miami Herald, 17 Sep. 2026

Bay Village supplies shops to stock up on boards and wetsuits as well as swimsuits, sunscreen, and souvenir T-shirts. — Lindsay Cohn, Travel + Leisure, 17 Sep. 2026

Folding small clothes; washing little faces; sunscreen; a million snacks. — Literary Hub, 15 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1738, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for sunscreen

• agin
• alkene
• allene
• ameen
• amin
• arene
• athene
• baleen
• beeline
• benzene
• between
• bromine

Kids Definition

sunscreen

noun

sun·​screen -ˌskrēn 

: a preparation (as a lotion) applied to the skin to prevent sunburn (as by chemically absorbing the sun's rays)

Medical Definition

sunscreen

noun

sun·​screen -ˌskrēn 

: 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

sunscreening adjective