sunset

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

Examples of sunset in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Evening shifts west, to a third-floor terrace that frames sunset against the Pensacola skyline. —Spencer Elliott, Forbes.com, 6 June 2026

Per the original legislation, the credit is set to be sunset in 2027. —Caitlin Huston, HollywoodReporter, 4 June 2026

Expansive windows and view-facing gathering spaces were designed to keep the landscape in the foreground, from morning light across the water to sunset color washing over the hills. —David Caraccio, Sacbee.com, 29 May 2026

After 18 seasons, Dance in the Parks will sunset after this year. —Lauren Warnecke, Chicago Tribune, 29 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

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