sunset

sun·set | \ ˈsən-ˌset

How to pronounce sunset (audio)

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Definition of sunset

(Entry 1 of 3)

1 : the apparent descent of the sun below the horizon also : the accompanying atmospheric effects

2 : the time when the upper limb of the sun disappears below the horizon as a result of the diurnal rotation of the earth

3 : a period of decline especially : old age

sunset

Definition of sunset (Entry 2 of 3)

: stipulating the periodic review of government agencies and programs in order to continue their existence sunset laws

sunset

sunsetted; sunsetting

Definition of sunset (Entry 3 of 3)

1 transitive, US : to cause or allow (something, such as a law) to lapse, end, or be terminated And yet, even though he was part of the coalition, Obama offered an amendment … that would have sunsetted the merit-based evaluation system for immigrants after five years.— Jake Tapper In an effort to cut back on projects, Google decided to sunset Google Reader …— Tristan Louis

2 intransitive, US : to lapse or come to an end : expire laws that will sunset at the end of the year Since the credit will sunset at the end of 2016, its fate could rest in the hands of a new Congress and a new president—who might not necessarily see the value in reinstating the credit.— Eric S. Peterson

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Examples of sunset in a Sentence

Noun We worked from sunrise to sunset. the golden light of sunset

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun In order to do so, each of the hotel’s spaces were given a personality inspired by sunset color gradients—guests can choose between rooms with a more sober and grounding energy or a zingy, livelier one. — Kate Mcgregor, ELLE Decor, "This New Hotel in London Is a Totally Instagram-Worthy Place to Stay," 8 Oct. 2020 Trump returned to the White House Monday night aboard Marine One, gingerly climbing the South Portico steps before removing his mask and giving a double thumbs-up from the terrace, where aides had arranged American flags for the sunset occasion. — Jill Colvin, Anchorage Daily News, "Trump, tweeting from White House, again falsely compares COVID-19 to seasonal flu," 6 Oct. 2020 Trump returned to the White House Monday night aboard Marine One, gingerly climbing the South Portico steps before removing his mask and giving a double thumbs-up from the terrace, where aides had arranged American flags for the sunset occasion. — Arkansas Online, "Trump, back at White House, compares covid to seasonal flu," 6 Oct. 2020 Trump returned to the White House Monday night aboard Marine One, gingerly climbing the South Portico steps before removing his mask and giving a double thumbs-up from the terrace, where aides had arranged American flags for the sunset occasion. — Zeke Miller, Star Tribune, "Trump, contagious at White House, back to downplaying virus," 6 Oct. 2020 Through tonight: Staying clear through sunset, with clouds building in after dark. — Greg Porter, Washington Post, "PM Update: A few showers develop late tonight. Excellent weather once again for Monday.," 4 Oct. 2020 Without Rip — not to mention his impeccable facial hair upkeep, and brooding poses against the sunset — the Duttons likely would've already lost their precious Yellowstone ranch. — Omar Sanchez, EW.com, "Let it rip: Why Cole Hauser's Rip Wheeler is the best character on Yellowstone," 2 Oct. 2020 The county flag will remain at half-staff through sunset on Sunday, Oct. 4. — David Anderson, baltimoresun.com, "Harford’s Rose Mary Hatem Bonsack remembered for her contributions to medicine, government, education and civic life," 1 Oct. 2020 Then make your way to Mount Battie Tower for a sunset picnic with an incomparable view of craggy coastline. — Dyan Machan, WSJ, "Why Maine Is the Perfect Road-Trip Destination for Fall," 30 Sep. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Adjective Temperatures will drift through the 60s into the post-sunset period. — Ian Livingston, Washington Post, "PM Update: Pleasantly cool weather persists through Wednesday as skies stay hazy," 15 Sep. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb The park is open from 8 a.m. to sunset (which is around 6:30 p.m. these days). — Leeanne Griffin, courant.com, "Food and foliage: 6 perfect pairings to enjoy the changing colors across Connecticut and great restaurants nearby," 10 Oct. 2020 Verizon and such smaller telecom firms as Lumen (formerly CenturyLink) and Frontier have not announced plans to sunset their own DSL. — Rob Pegoraro, USA TODAY, "AT&T shelving DSL may leave hundreds of thousands hanging by a phone line," 3 Oct. 2020 Izaiah recalled working sunrise to sunset tending to sheep, goats, cattle, donkeys and chickens. — David Woods, The Indianapolis Star, "How an orphaned Ethiopian shepherd became one of Indiana's top distance runners," 18 Sep. 2020 The live show, called EcoLive, streams twice daily (at sunrise and sunset local time) on Tswalu’s website and social channels. — Jennifer Billock, Smithsonian Magazine, "Want to Support Wildlife Conservation in Africa? Start by Going on a Virtual Safari," 2 Sep. 2020 Since March, public schools have pivoted to a nutrition-to-go model that provided food to anyone who asked for it, but this program will sunset unless the administration takes action. — Stephen Patrick, STAT, "The lack of a national policy agenda for children during Covid-19 — and beyond — causes grave harm," 31 Aug. 2020 Unless the court decides otherwise, Ducey’s order is currently set to sunset on Oct. 31. — Cole Lauterbach, Washington Examiner, "Arizona governor to landlords suing over eviction hold: 'Get in line'," 14 Aug. 2020 The board modified the emergency ordinance through Oct. 14, permitting open burning from sunrise to sunset on Tuesdays, Thursdays and Saturdays. — Yadira Sanchez Olson, chicagotribune.com, "Open burning of leaves allowed in unincorporated Lake County," 12 Aug. 2020 According to the operating agreement, the garden will be open to the public Saturdays and Sundays from 8 a.m. to sunset and by appointment on weekdays. — Gustavo Solis, San Diego Union-Tribune, "National City signs off on community garden partnership," 12 Aug. 2020

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

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Last Updated

14 Oct 2020

Cite this Entry

“Sunset.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sunset. Accessed 20 Oct. 2020.

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More Definitions for sunset

sunset

noun

English Language Learners Definition of sunset

: the time when the sun goes below the horizon in the evening

: the colors that are in the sky when the sun slowly goes below the horizon

See the full definition for sunset in the English Language Learners Dictionary

sunset

sun·set | \ ˈsən-ˌset

\

Kids Definition of sunset

1 : the apparent passing of the sun below the horizon

2 : the light and color of the passing of the sun below the horizon

3 : the time at which the sun sets

sunset

sun·set

Legal Definition of sunset

: having or being a provision stipulating the termination or repeal of something (as a law, grant, or insurance coverage) on a specified date sunset laws requiring periodic review of programs to justify their continuance

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