sunset

1 of 3

noun

sun·​set ˈsən-ˌset 

1

: the apparent descent of the sun below the horizon

also : the accompanying atmospheric effects

2

: the time when the upper limb of the sun disappears below the horizon as a result of the diurnal rotation of the earth

3

: a period of decline

especially : old age

sunset

2 of 3

adjective

: stipulating the periodic review of government agencies and programs in order to continue their existence

sunset laws

sunset

3 of 3

verb

sunsetted; sunsetting

1

transitive US : to cause or allow (something, such as a law) to lapse, end, or be terminated

And yet, even though he was part of the coalition, Obama offered an amendment … that would have sunsetted the merit-based evaluation system for immigrants after five years.

—Jake Tapper

In an effort to cut back on projects, Google decided to sunset Google Reader …

—Tristan Louis

2

intransitive US : to lapse or come to an end : expire

laws that will sunset at the end of the year

Since the credit will sunset at the end of 2016, its fate could rest in the hands of a new Congress and a new president—who might not necessarily see the value in reinstating the credit.

—Eric S. Peterson

Synonyms

Noun

• crepuscule
• crepuscle
• dusk
• eve
• evenfall
• evening
• eventide
• gloaming
• night
• nightfall
• sundown
• twilight

Examples of sunset in a Sentence

Noun

We worked from sunrise to sunset.

the golden light of sunset

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Shots of a lioness silhouetted against a sunset and trees silhouetted against a stormy sky are very detailed; the contours of the lioness and both the texture and color of leaves and bark on the trees come through without looking blown out. —PCMAG, 6 Nov. 2024

Think about the jackass, who probably isn’t enjoying a stunning pink-purple sunset. —Tim Zientek, The New Yorker, 5 Nov. 2024

Adjective

Add an elegant outdoor sconce for some post-sunset flow and a cozy pillow. —Sofia Quintero, ELLE Decor, 28 Mar. 2023

The solar system’s largest planet this week takes a bow and departs the post-sunset night sky for many months. —Jamie Carter, Forbes, 26 Mar. 2023

Verb

Throughout the year, the not-for-profit puts on events like movie nights in the gardens, sunset happy hours with live music, and workshops on how to grow your own native varieties. —Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 27 Oct. 2024

Many of the individual TCJA provisions will sunset after 2025 without action from Congress, which will be a key issue for the next president, policy experts say. —Kate Dore, Cfp®, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Noun

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1974, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1976, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

sunset

noun

sun·​set

-ˌset

1

: the apparent sinking of the sun below the horizon

also : the accompanying atmospheric effects

2

: the time at which the sun sets

Legal Definition

sunset

adjective

sun·​set

: having or being a provision stipulating the termination or repeal of something (as a law, grant, or insurance coverage) on a specified date

sunset laws requiring periodic review of programs to justify their continuance