Verb

Infinitive to dawn

Third person singular dawns

Simple past dawned

Past participle dawned

Present participle dawning

to dawn (third-person singular simple present dawns, present participle dawning, simple past and past participle dawned)

1. (intransitive) To begin to brighten with daylight.

   Before a new day dawns.

2. (intransitive) To start to appear or be realized.

   I don’t want to be there when the truth dawns.

Derived terms

• dawn on

Dawn is the time that marks the beginning of the twilight before sunrise. It is recognized by the presence of weak sunlight, while the sun itself is still below the horizon. Dawn should not be confused with sunrise, which is the moment when the leading edge of the sun itself appears above the horizon.

The duration of the twilight period between dawn and sunrise varies greatly depending on the observer's latitude, from a few minutes in equatorial regions to many hours in polar regions. Dawn may easily be determined by observing a thread. When the color of a thread can be determined, changing from black to the threads distinctive color, the 'crack of dawn' has occurred. This same measure of ambient light can be used to determine, conversely, the instant of 'dusk'.

Types

There are also more technical definitions of dawn, including the following:

Astronomical dawn

the moment after which the sky is no longer completely dark; formally defined as the time at which the sun is 18 degrees below the horizon in the morning.

Nautical dawn

the time at which there is enough sunlight for the horizon and some objects to be distinguishable; formally, when the sun is 12 degrees below the horizon in the morning.

Civil dawn

that time at which there is enough light for objects to be distinguishable, so that outdoor activities can commence; formally, when the sun is 6 degrees below the horizon in the morning.