the first appearance of daylight in the morning

Dawn broke over the valley.

the beginning or rise of anything; advent

the dawn of civilization.

to begin to grow light in the morning

The day dawned with a cloudless sky.

to begin to open or develop.

to begin to be perceived (usually fol. by on )

The idea dawned on him.

noun

dusk , end , evening , eventide , setting , sundown , sunset , conclusion , ending , finish

verb

end , finish , set

noun

aurora , break of day , bright , cockcrow , crack of dawn , dawning , daybreak , daylight , day peep , early bright , first blush , first light , light , morn , morning , sunrise , sunup , wee hours , advent , alpha , birth , commencement , emergence , foundation , genesis , head , inception , onset , opening , origin , outset , outstart , rise , source , start , unfolding , beginning , nascence , nascency , spring , dayspring

verb

appear , begin , develop , emerge , glimmer , initiate , lighten , loom , open , originate , rise , show itself , unfold , arise , commence , aurora , beginning , birth , daybreak , genesis , morn , morning , occur , start , sunrise , sunup , understand , work

phrasal verb

sink in , soak in