1
a
often capitalized
: the luminous celestial body around which the earth and other planets revolve, from which they receive heat and light, which is composed mainly of hydrogen and helium, and which has a mean distance from earth of about 93,000,000 miles (150,000,000 kilometers), a linear diameter of 864,000 miles (1,390,000 kilometers), and a mass 332,000 times greater than earth
b
: a celestial body like the sun : star
2
: the heat or light radiated from the sun
played in the sun all day
3
: one resembling the sun (as in warmth or brilliance)
4
: the rising or setting of the sun
from sun to sun
sunned; sunning
: to expose to or as if to the rays of the sun
: to sun oneself
Sunday
Synonyms
Examples of sun in a Sentence
Noun
The rain has stopped and the sun is shining.
The sun rises in the east and sets in the west.
the warmth of the sun's rays
They dream of traveling to distant suns.
Try to keep out of the sun.
The cat lay basking in the sun.
Verb
People sunned themselves on the hillside.
Recent Examples on the Web
Korin Miller, Flow Space, 4 July 2024
The sun was setting right behind the dome, casting a long, frigid shadow even on a hot day.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2024
Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 27 June 2024
Bearded Dragons Usually spotted sunning themselves on the side of the road or from an elevated perch, the bearded dragon is a small reptile with distinctively spiky scales under its chin.
—Justin Meneguzzi, Travel + Leisure, 16 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for sun 
Noun
In the mix: The best eye cream for wrinkles, serums to get rid of forehead wrinkles, sun protection to prevent future wrinkles, and more.
—Korin Miller, Flow Space, 4 July 2024
The sun was setting right behind the dome, casting a long, frigid shadow even on a hot day.
—Gustavo Arellano, Los Angeles Times, 4 July 2024
Verb
In the warmer months, locals head to Cheat Lake for a day of kayaking, boating, swimming, and sunning.
—Lisa Cericola, Southern Living, 27 June 2024
Bearded Dragons Usually spotted sunning themselves on the side of the road or from an elevated perch, the bearded dragon is a small reptile with distinctively spiky scales under its chin.
—Justin Meneguzzi, Travel + Leisure, 16 June 2024
See all Example Sentences for sun
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'sun.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near sun
Cite this Entry
“Sun.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sun. Accessed 15 Jul. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
sun
1 of 2 noun1
a
: the star around which the planets revolve, from which they receive heat and light, and which has an average distance from the earth of about 93,000,000 miles (150,000,000 kilometers), a diameter of 864,000 miles (1,390,000 kilometers), and a mass 332,000 times greater than earth
b
: a star like the sun
2
: the heat or light given off by the sun : sunshine
3
: one resembling the sun usually in brilliance
4
: the rising or setting of the sun
from sun to sun
sun
2 of 2 verb
sunned; sunning
1
: to expose to or as if to the rays of the sun
2
: to sun oneself
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share