# daybreak

/ˈdeɪˌbɹeɪk/ (US) · /dˈeɪbɹeɪk/ (UK) · CEFR B2 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/daybreak
Updated: 2026-05-11

## Definition

the time in the early morning when light first appears in the sky. It is the very start of the day before the sun fully rises.

For teachers: the first appearance of light in the morning sky; the beginning of daylight. Often used in literary or descriptive contexts to mark the transition from night to morning.

## Examples

- The birds began to sing at daybreak.
- The hikers woke up before daybreak to reach the mountain summit by sunrise.
- As the grey shadows of night retreated at daybreak, the valley below was slowly revealed through a thin layer of morning mist.

## Usage notes

- Often used with the preposition 'at' to indicate a specific time.

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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.