the daily disappearance of the sun below the western horizon
the varying time of this
the atmospheric phenomena at this time; esp., the color of the western sky at sunset
the final phase or decline (of a period)
Origin:
ME sunne set, sonsette: see sunrise
adjective
☆ designating or of a law, bill, etc. requiring that certain government agencies, programs, etc. come to an end after a specified period unless they get legislative approval again
designating an industry that is in a final state of decline, as because of a diminished use of its products or an inability to meet foreign competition
See sunset in American Heritage Dictionary 4
noun
The event or time of the daily disappearance of the sun below the western horizon.
A decline or final phase: the sunset of an empire.
adjective
Providing for the automatic termination of a government program or agency unless deliberately reauthorized by law: a state-funded program with a sunset provision.