sunburst

American  

[suhn-burst] / ˈsʌnˌbɜrst /

noun

1. a burst of sunlight; a sudden shining of the sun through rifted clouds.

2. a firework, piece of jewelry, ornament, or the like, resembling the sun with rays issuing in all directions.

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adjective

1. Sewing. sewn or made to resemble a sunburst; having the rays or lines of design flared from a central point.

   sunburst pleats; sunburst tucks.

sunburst British  

/ ˈsʌnˌbɜːst /

noun

1. a burst of sunshine, as through a break in the clouds

2. a pattern or design resembling that of the sun

3. a jewelled brooch with this pattern

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Etymology

Origin of sunburst

First recorded in 1810–20; sun + burst

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

sunburst

The impact threw material outward for tens of meters, forming striking rays that spread out in a sunburst pattern.

From Science Daily ● Apr. 8, 2026

With effects pedals scattered at his feet, he opened a case with an orange sunburst lap-slide guitar inside.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jan. 22, 2025

The stage lights at one point seemed to illuminate nothing but the sunburst pattern on his bass and Jones wondered if it was the same instrument McCartney had played in the early ’60s.

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 16, 2024

Among the lots is a 1959 Gibson Les Paul with a sunburst finish, known as the "Holy Grail of electric guitars", which has an estimate of £300,000 to £500,000.

From BBC ● Nov. 21, 2023

He glimpsed the bull moose of the Homwoods, the Karstark sunburst, Lord Cerwyn's battle-axe, and the mailed fist of the Glovers .. . and the twin towers of Frey, blue on grey.

From "A Game of Thrones" by George R.R. Martin