daybreak

Everyday

The time in the early morning when light first appears in the sky; dawn. tree →

In the lessons

In stories daybreak marks the start of a journey or the end of a long night; in science it links to sunrise and the Earth turning. Phrases: «at daybreak», «before daybreak», «from daybreak till dusk».

Examples

• We set off at daybreak to catch the early ferry. tree →
• The rooster crows at daybreak. tree →
• The soldiers waited until daybreak to cross the river. tree →
• Farmers often work from daybreak till dusk. tree →
• By daybreak the snow had covered the whole garden. tree →
• Birds sing loudest just before daybreak, in the dawn chorus. tree →
• Daybreak comes earlier in summer than in winter. tree →
• At daybreak Jack rose and went out into the garden. tree →

Note

Uncountable, usually with «at»: «at daybreak». Means the same as «dawn» and «first light»; opposite «dusk», «nightfall». Daybreak is a little before sunrise, when the sky already lightens but the Sun is not yet up.

In Jewish tradition

In Hosea it means the sudden moment of morning when judgment falls on Israel's king. In the primary lessons: In stories daybreak marks the start of a journey or the end of a long night; in science it links to sunrise and the Earth turning. Phrases: «at daybreak», «before daybreak», «from daybreak till dusk».

Examples

• So hath Beth-el done unto you because of your great wickedness; at daybreak is the king of Israel utterly cut off. (Prophets HOS.10.15, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Uncountable, usually with «at»: «at daybreak». Means the same as «dawn» and «first light»; opposite «dusk», «nightfall». Daybreak is a little before sunrise, when the sky already lightens but the Sun is not yet up.