sunset
Americannoun
adjective
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(of an industry, technology, etc.) old; declining.
sunset industries.
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of, relating to, or characteristic of a sunset law.
to add sunset restrictions to a bill.
noun
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the daily disappearance of the sun below the horizon
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the atmospheric phenomena accompanying this disappearance
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Also called: sundown. the time at which the sun sets at a particular locality
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the final stage or closing period, as of a person's life
Etymology
Origin of sunset
Middle English word dating back to 1350–1400; see origin at sun, set
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
During the first half of June, look toward the western horizon shortly after sunset to spot Venus and Jupiter.
From Science Daily • Jun. 3, 2026
What to Do: Book a sunset sail aboard the Schooner Eleanor in Kennebunkport or spend an afternoon browsing Sherman’s Maine Coast Book Shop in Portland.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 20, 2026
As crews made progress against the Sandy fire after sunset Monday evening, authorities began to lift evacuation warnings in some areas.
From Los Angeles Times • May 19, 2026
Another concerns so-called "sunrise" and "sunset" clauses under which the EU side of the accord would kick in once the United States makes fully good on its pledges, and would expire unless renewed in 2028.
From Barron's • May 19, 2026
On the highway you probably get all four parts—the sunrise, the day, the sunset, and the night.
From "Miracle's Boys" by Jacqueline Woodson
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
