sunset

1 of 3

noun

sun·​set ˈsən-ˌset 

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

2 of 3

adjective

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

sunset laws

sunset

3 of 3

verb

sunsetted; sunsetting

1

transitive US : to cause or allow (something, such as a law) to lapse, end, or be terminated

… 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

Synonyms of sunset

Noun

• dusk
• night
• twilight
• evening
• sundown

Examples of sunset in a Sentence

Noun

We worked from sunrise to sunset.

the golden light of sunset

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The bench is positioned so that the sunset is clearly visible in the evening, a daily event that Mollie says reminds her of Fletcher. — Conor Wight, CBS News, 19 Aug. 2026

For years, tax strategists built their case for early action around the looming sunset of the 2017 tax cuts. — Dana Dunkelberger, Forbes.com, 18 Aug. 2026

Adjective

Then be sure to read our roundups of the best cameras and lenses for astrophotography, along with our beginner's guide to photographing the post-sunset realm. — Anthony Wood, Space.com, 13 June 2026

Venus, Jupiter and Mercury parade together low in the post-sunset twilight sky for most of June. — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 31 May 2026

Verb

The program will be new at Garinger High School in east Charlotte, though the school’s current Cambridge and exercise science programs will sunset beginning in fall 2028. — Rebecca Noel, Charlotte Observer, 12 Aug. 2026

Zimmerman wants to sunset the state's voucher system and increase funding to public schools. — Hope Karnopp, jsonline.com, 11 Aug. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1974, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1976, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for sunset

• abet
• asset
• baguette
• banquette
• barbette
• beget
• beset
• binet
• briquette
• brunet
• brunette
• burette

Kids Definition

sunset

noun

sun·​set

-ˌset

1

: the apparent sinking of the sun below the horizon

also : the accompanying atmospheric effects

2

: the time at which the sun sets

Legal Definition

sunset

adjective

sun·​set

: 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