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moonrise

American  
[moon-rahyz] / ˈmunˌraɪz /

noun

  1. the rising of the moon above the horizon.

  2. the time at which the moon rises above the horizon.


moonrise British  
/ ˈmuːnˌraɪz /

noun

  1. the moment when the moon appears above the horizon

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of moonrise

First recorded in 1720–30; moon + (sun)rise

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.

See Examples For:

A few days after the next full moon on November 5, the Taurids should again be visible in the evening sky before moonrise.

From Science Daily Oct. 31, 2025

The moonrise turning Didi and Gogo into black, ghostly silhouettes is one such touch.

From The Wall Street Journal Sep. 29, 2025

Its most popular event — a full moon hike capped with yoga, a sound bath and stargazing — happens every month, timed to the moonrise, and often it draws dozens of newcomers.

From Los Angeles Times Sep. 3, 2025

Diana Houston said she got "nippy fingers" as she took this picture of moonrise at Loch an Eilein near Aviemore on Boxing Day.

From BBC Dec. 27, 2023

The hour of the owl, the hour of the wolf, the hour of the nightingale, moonrise and moonset, dusk and dawn, they staggered past like drunkards.

From "A Dance with Dragons" by George R. R. Martin

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