sunscreen

noun

sun·​screen ˈsən-ˌskrēn How to pronounce sunscreen (audio)
1
: a screen to protect against sun
2
: a preparation (such as a lotion) applied to the skin to prevent sunburn (as by chemically absorbing ultraviolet radiation)
also : its active ingredient (as benzophenone) compare sunblock
sunscreening
ˈsən-ˌskrē-niŋ How to pronounce sunscreen (audio)
adjective

Examples of sunscreen 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.
There are many pros of mineral sunscreen, but they are most known to be less irritating and great for sensitive skin. — Audrey Noble, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2026 While some sunscreen lotions may pool in fine lines and wrinkles and leave a white cast in the creases—needless to say, not a desirable result—this drugstore gem has a lightweight texture that melts into the skin. — Christa Joanna Lee, Glamour, 23 Oct. 2026 Sunscreen every day — multiple times a day What kind of sunscreen is best? — Norah O'Donnell, CBS News, 21 Oct. 2026 In the meantime, no one should refrain from using sunscreen, which is extremely well-proven to cause cancer. — Tracy Middleton, Allure, 19 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for sunscreen

Word History

First Known Use

1738, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of sunscreen was in 1738

Rhymes for sunscreen

See All Rhymes for sunscreen

Browse Nearby Words

sunscald
sunscreen
sunseeker
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Sunscreen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sunscreen. Accessed 27 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

sunscreen

noun
sun·​screen -ˌskrēn How to pronounce sunscreen (audio)
: a preparation (as a lotion) applied to the skin to prevent sunburn (as by chemically absorbing the sun's rays)

Medical Definition

sunscreen

noun
sun·​screen -ˌskrēn How to pronounce sunscreen (audio)
: a preparation (as a lotion) applied to the skin to prevent sunburn (as by chemically absorbing ultraviolet radiation)
also : its active ingredient (as benzophenone) compare sunblock
sunscreening adjective
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of milieu

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World

Why do we 'bury the lede?'

'Za' and 9 Other Words to Help You Win at SCRABBLE
See More

Popular

See More

How to Use 'Who' vs. 'Whom'

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
different halloween monsters in silhouette
A Monstrous Vocab Quiz Words That Go Bump in the Night
See All