dawn

Formsdawns, dawning, dawned

1. 1
   daybreaknoununcountable

   The time early in the morning when the sky starts to get light and the sun comes up.

   Dawn comes earlier in the summer than in the winter.

   We need to be on the road by dawn tomorrow.

   UsageMost often at dawn or before dawn.

   Similardaybreak, sunrise, sunup

   Oppositedusk, sunset, nightfall, sundown

2. 2
   early daysnoununcountable

   The very beginning or first part of something.

   Like the opening scene of a movie, when the story is just getting started.

   At the dawn of the internet, web pages were slow and simple.

   Computers at the dawn of the space age filled entire rooms.

   UsageOften the dawn of something: the dawn of the internet.

   Similarbeginning, start (entry), onset

   Oppositeend, twilight, close

   Note
3. 3
   become clearverbfigurativelyintransitive

   To slowly become clear or easy to understand.

   Like a light slowly turning on in your head.

   The truth began to dawn on her as she read the letter.

   It dawned on me that I had left my keys at home.

   UsageUse it dawned on me that..., with the person after on.

   Similaroccur, strike, register, emerge

   Note
4. 4
   day beginsverbintransitive

   To start to get light as the day begins.

   Day will dawn in about an hour, so we should pack up the tent.

   The morning dawned bright and clear over the lake.

   UsageSay the day dawned clear or gray.

   Similarbreak

   Note
5. 5
   verbfigurativelyintransitive

   To begin, or start to appear, as a new time or age does.

   A new day will dawn for the team after this hard season.

   Hope was dawning in the town as the factory reopened.

   UsageUse a time or age as the subject: a new age dawned, a new day will dawn.

   Similarbegin, emerge, arrive, start (entry)

   Oppositeend

   Note

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