# dawning

/ˈdɔnɪŋ/ (US) · /dˈɔːnɪŋ/ (UK) · CEFR C2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/dawning
Updated: 2026-05-26

## Definition

the time when the sun starts to rise and the sky turns light. It is often used to describe the beginning of a new day or a new idea.

For teachers: the period of time immediately before sunrise when the sky begins to brighten. Often used metaphorically to signify the onset of a new era or the initial stages of a realization.

## Examples

- The dawning of the new day brought fresh hope.
- As the dawning of the morning light revealed the valley below, the hikers realized they had reached the summit.
- The dawning of the industrial age transformed the landscape from a patchwork of small farms into a network of factories and railways.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.