sunset

noun sun·set \ ˈsən-ˌset \

|Updated on: 13 Jul 2018

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

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Examples of sunset in a Sentence

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

Recent Examples of sunset from the Web

It's been nigh impossible to find ever since, and was sent off into the sunset in favor of Nintendo's Super NES Classic.

— jeffrey van camp, WIRED, "The NES Classic Is Back—Here’s How to Make Sure You Get One," 30 May 2018
The 2007 first-round pick by the Browns rides off into the sunset as one of the greatest Cleveland Browns of all time and will, undoubtedly, walk right into Canton as a Hall-of-Famer on his first ballot.

— cleveland.com, "Joe Thomas career milestones: His accomplishments through the years," 14 Mar. 2018
As four tired-looking marines limp along a beach featuring broken Halo gates, the brief tease concludes with a shot of Master Chief holding his iconic helmet at his waist before driving off into the sunset on a Warthog.

— kyle orland, Ars Technica, "Microsoft teases Halo Infinite at E3 2018," 10 June 2018
This task is not as simple as buying a bike, adjusting the seat to a height that looks like the right one, and pedaling off into the sunset.

— emily abbate, GQ, "Everything You Need to Know Before Buying a Bike for Fitness," 7 June 2018
After the outrage settles, people walk off into the sunset to their respective corners.

— fabiola santiago, miamiherald, "A conversation about racism in Miami should include all groups – not just Cubans," 1 June 2018
Could this be the time that Kerr decides to drift off into the sunset?

— andrew sharp and ben golliver, SI.com, "Is This Steve Kerr's Last Year Coaching the Warriors?," 29 May 2018
As the vigil drew to a close, the crowd released their balloons, sending them floating into the sunset.

— laura mcknight, NOLA.com, "'This family needs, deserves and wants answers': Vigil held for Keeven Robinson," 11 May 2018
Brits believe this could be the vehicle to whisk newlyweds Prince Harry and Meghan Markle into the sunset following their wedding.

— Fox News, "Brits design Aston Martin Mustang for Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's wedding," 11 May 2018

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.

First Known Use of sunset

before 12th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

sunset Synonyms

sunset

adjective

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

sunset laws

First Known Use of sunset

1974

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

NEW! Time Traveler

sunset

verb

sunsetted; sunsetting

transitive + intransitive

1 T : 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 I : 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