dawn

Formsdawns, dawning, dawned

1. 1
   daybreaknoununcountable

   The first light of day, when the sky grows light just before and as the sun rises.

   Dawn breaks around five o'clock in June at this latitude.

   The ferry leaves at dawn regardless of the weather.

   UsageUsually no article: at dawn, before dawn, from dawn to dusk; also at the crack of dawn.

   Similardaybreak, sunrise, sunup

   Oppositedusk, sunset, nightfall, sundown

2. 2
   early daysnoununcountable

   The earliest phase or beginning stage of something, such as an era, movement, or development.

   Historians often place the dawn of modern science in the seventeenth century.

   At the dawn of aviation, pilots navigated by following roads and rivers.

   UsageMostly in the dawn of: the dawn of civilization; a new dawn is a hoped-for fresh start.

   Similarbeginning, start (entry), onset

   Oppositeend, twilight, close

   Note

   It also invites the matching image of an ending, so writers often set the dawn of one age against the twilight of another.

3. 3
   become clearverbfigurativelyintransitive

   To begin to appear or become evident, as a realization or understanding gradually does.

   The full scale of the problem dawned on investigators only after weeks of digging.

   A suspicion began to dawn that the figures had been altered.

   UsageUse the truth dawned on me or it dawned on me that.... Upon can replace on.

   Similaroccur, strike, register, emerge

   Note

   The American novelist Winston Churchill's The Celebrity (1897) prefers upon: "the consciousness dawning upon him." Source

   Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 3 facts

   • Winston Churchill was an American novelist. en.wikipedia.org
   • Winston Churchill wrote The Celebrity. gutenberg.org
   • The Celebrity contains the quoted words in its narration. gutenberg.org
4. 4
   day beginsverbintransitive

   To begin to brighten as daylight arrives; to grow light at the start of the day.

   The valley was still silent as the day began to dawn behind the ridge.

   Tuesday dawned gray and drizzly, and the climbers postponed their start.

   UsageOften used with a day as the subject: the day dawned, Tuesday dawned gray. Also it began to dawn.

   Similarbreak

   Note

   The King James Bible of 1611 already writes "as it began to dawne towards the first day of the weeke." Source

   Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 1 fact

   • The King James Bible was published in 1611. en.wikipedia.org
5. 5
   verbfigurativelyintransitive

   To begin to appear or develop, as a new era or age does.

   A new age of exploration dawned with the launch of the first satellites.

   After years of conflict, an era of cooperation seemed about to dawn.

   UsageUse an era or age as the subject: a new era dawned, a new age is dawning.

   Similarbegin, emerge, arrive, start (entry)

   Oppositeend

   Note

   Dryden's "in dawning youth" (1697) uses the present participle as an adjective for something just opening out. The sense still serves solemn appeals: Pope Francis in 2023 urged, "let a time of peace dawn!" Source

   Checked 1 Nov 2026 · 3 facts

   • The phrase “in dawning youth” occurs in Dryden’s translation of Virgil’s Aeneid, with “dawning” modifying “youth”. en.wikisource.org
   • Dryden’s translation containing this passage was first published in 1697. openbook.lib.utah.edu
   • Pope Francis urged “let a time of peace dawn!” in 2023; the Vatican dates the address to 3 February 2023. vatican.va

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