1
: the apparent rising of the sun above the horizon
also
: the accompanying atmospheric effects
2
: the time when the upper limb of the sun appears above the horizon as a result of the diurnal rotation of the earth
Examples of sunrise in a Sentence
We were up before sunrise.
We worked from sunrise to sunset.
We watched the sunrise from the beach.
the pink light of sunrise
Recent Examples on the Web
This phenomenon, known as Rayleigh scattering, creates the same effect that makes sunrises and sunsets so vivid, and paints the moon in an eerie, red glow.
—
Michael D'estries, Travel + Leisure, 13 Mar. 2025
Finally, as the name suggests, sunrise and sunset are spectacular times to behold the dunes blushing coral pink—another reason to consider camping here for a night or two.
—Maya Silver, Outside Online, 10 Mar. 2025
To an astronaut standing on the moon during totality, the sun would be hidden behind a dark Earth outlined by a brilliant red ring consisting of all the world's sunrises and sunsets.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 9 Mar. 2025
Gusts up to 78 mph rocked the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex around sunrise and an 87 mph gust blew through southern Oklahoma.
—Mary Gilbert, CNN, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sunrise
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Michael D'estries, Travel + Leisure, 13 Mar. 2025
Finally, as the name suggests, sunrise and sunset are spectacular times to behold the dunes blushing coral pink—another reason to consider camping here for a night or two.
—Maya Silver, Outside Online, 10 Mar. 2025
To an astronaut standing on the moon during totality, the sun would be hidden behind a dark Earth outlined by a brilliant red ring consisting of all the world's sunrises and sunsets.
—Joe Rao, Space.com, 9 Mar. 2025
Gusts up to 78 mph rocked the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex around sunrise and an 87 mph gust blew through southern Oklahoma.
—Mary Gilbert, CNN, 4 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for sunrise
Cite this Entry
“Sunrise.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sunrise. Accessed 23 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sunrise
noun
sun·rise
ˈsən-ˌrīz 
1
: the apparent rising of the sun above the horizon
also
: the accompanying atmospheric effects (as color)
2
: the time at which the sun rises
Geographical Definition
Sunrise
geographical name
Sun·rise
ˈsən-ˌrīz
city in southeastern Florida west of Fort Lauderdale population 84,439
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