sunblock

American  

[suhn-blok] / ˈsʌnˌblɒk /

Or sun block

noun

• sunblocks
  plural

1. a substance that provides a high degree of protection against sunburn, often preventing most tanning as well as burning, as by obstructing the penetration of ultraviolet rays.

2. a lotion, cream, etc., containing such a substance.

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• sunblocks
  plural

Etymology

Origin of sunblock

First recorded in 1975–80; sun + block

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

sunblock sunblocks

Teachers Cecile Hansen and Peter Helmkamp, who had traveled from Miami, Florida to attend the "Great American State Fair" recommended fans, sunblock, visors, and dipping into air conditioned cafes every 20 minutes.

From Barron's ● Jul. 1, 2026

Jasso offered me water, sunblock, a hat and an orange, but I declined.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 16, 2024

Darker skin tones, prevalent in equatorial regions, serve as nature's very own sunblock, evolving over millennia to shield these populations from the sun's intense ultraviolet radiation.

From Science Daily ● Jan. 12, 2024

The money he earns from begging is rarely enough to cover his meals and rent, let alone the sunblock and glasses he needs to protect his sensitive skin and eyes.

From BBC ● Sep. 4, 2023

I think of Johnny’s strong arms, the stripe of white sunblock on his nose, the time we were sick together from poison ivy and lay next to each other in the hammock, scratching.

From "We Were Liars" by E. Lockhart

Hawaii’s ban leaves producers with two options: continue offering chemical sunscreens without oxybenzone and octinoxate or switch over to natural, mineral-based sunblocks.

From Slate ● May 7, 2018