What does "sunrise" mean?

1. (time of day) the time in the early morning when the sun first appears in the sky. 2. (colors in the sky) the beautiful colors, like pink and orange, that appear in the sky when the sun comes up. 3. (a new beginning) the start of something new and hopeful.

sunrise

US //ˈsənˌɹaɪz// UK //sˈʌnɹaɪz// sun·rise

1 time of day (n.)
A1 Beginner

the time in the early morning when the sun first appears in the sky.

the moment or period when the upper limb of the sun appears above the eastern horizon.

Example

We woke up at four in the morning to watch the sunrise from the beach.

Example

The hikers reached the summit just before sunrise, witnessing the first rays of light illuminate the valley below.
- dawn
- daybreak
- sunset
2 colors in the sky (n.)
A2 Elementary

the beautiful colors, like pink and orange, that appear in the sky when the sun comes up.

the atmospheric display of light and color occurring as the sun rises.

Example

The sunrise was so beautiful that I had to stop and take a photo.

Example

A spectacular sunrise painted the clouds in shades of crimson and gold, providing a dramatic backdrop for the morning news broadcast.
- dawn

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3 a new beginning (n.)
C1 Advanced Literary

the start of something new and hopeful.

a figurative awakening or the beginning of a new era or movement.

Example

Many saw the end of the war as the sunrise of a new age of peace.

Example

The poet used the image of a sunrise to symbolise the intellectual awakening of a generation long suppressed by censorship.
- end
- twilight

Origin

From Middle English sonne-rys, sunne ryse, equivalent to sun + rise. Compare Middle English son risyng, sunne rijsyng, sonne-rysing (“sunrise”, literally “sun rising”).