sunscreen
Americannoun
-
a substance formulated to prevent sunburn, skin cancers, and other conditions caused by excessive exposure to the sun, usually by absorbing and reflecting ultraviolet radiation.
-
a lotion, cream, etc., containing such a substance.
-
a latticework or similar construction to shield a patio, atrium, or the like, from direct sunlight.
noun
Etymology
Origin of sunscreen
Vocabulary lists containing sunscreen
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.
Social media posts wrongly claiming that sunscreen causes cancer have been spreading widely online.
From BBC ● Jul. 25, 2026
"They can't pack tightly and aggregate, so they stay evenly distributed in the sunscreen."
From Science Daily ● Jul. 20, 2026
"Instead of a summer lull, the meeting promises one last clash between the hawks and doves before anyone reaches for the sunscreen," said Brzeski.
From Barron's ● Jul. 20, 2026
The results, published in ACS Materials Letters, could support skin cancer prevention by making mineral sunscreen more appealing and encouraging regular use among people with a wider variety of skin tones.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 20, 2026
Liam stood and stumbled over cans of sunscreen and bug spray from a nearby display.
From "The Darkest Minds" by Alexandra Bracken
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.
