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

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

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

The interior has been lovingly restored too, with modern lighting and sound upgrades mostly concealed and the ceiling’s sunburst ornamentation shining in its full glory.

From Los Angeles Times • Aug. 30, 2023

Mohawk warrior flags, which feature the face of an indigenous man superimposed on a yellow sunburst on a red background, wave in the wind.

From BBC • Jul. 27, 2023

Dresden plate quilts were also called friendship rings, grandmother’s sunburst, and sunflower quilts.

From "Hope Springs" by Jaime Berry