sunburst

noun

sun·​burst ˈsən-ˌbərst How to pronounce sunburst (audio)
Synonyms of sunburstnext
often attributive
1
: a flash of sunlight especially through a break in clouds
2
a
: a jeweled brooch representing a sun surrounded by rays
b
: a design in the form of rays diverging from a central point

Examples of sunburst in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Then there’s the ceiling, where a trompe l’oeil painter put in a pattern of sunbursts modeled after a Minton tile. — Adriane Quinlan, Curbed, 8 May 2026 To personalize the set, add your astrological signs to the mix of gold chrome sunburst and stars. — Ariel Wodarcyk, InStyle, 14 Feb. 2026 Above, rays of light radiate in high relief and sunburst guilloche is visible beneath the vivid hot enamel. — Nancy Olson, Forbes.com, 26 June 2026 The decorative sunburst windows on the two dormers and the gable window are our favorite details. — Emma Ashe, Southern Living, 24 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for sunburst

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1815, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sunburst was circa 1815

Rhymes for sunburst

See All Rhymes for sunburst

Browse Nearby Words

sun burner
sunburst
suncatcher
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sunburst.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sunburst. Accessed 8 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

sunburst

noun
sun·​burst ˈsən-ˌbərst How to pronounce sunburst (audio)
1
: a flash of sunlight especially through a break in the clouds
2
a
: a jeweled pin representing a sun surrounded by rays
b
: a design in the form of rays extending from a central point

More from Merriam-Webster on sunburst

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for sunburst

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