sunrise industry: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Formal, Academic, Business/Finance Journalism
Quick answer
What does “sunrise industry” mean?
A new, emerging, and rapidly growing sector of the economy, typically based on innovative technology or a new market.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
A new, emerging, and rapidly growing sector of the economy, typically based on innovative technology or a new market.
An industry perceived to be in its early stages of growth, with high potential for expansion, investment, and job creation. It implies a contrast with declining or mature "sunset industries."
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical difference; the term is used identically. Slight preference in British English for the related term "sunset industry."
Connotations
Identical connotations in both dialects: innovation, growth, and future economic potential.
Frequency
Moderately low frequency in both, primarily found in economic reports, business news, and policy discussions.
Grammar
How to Use “sunrise industry” in a Sentence
[NP] is a sunrise industry[NP] consider [NP] a sunrise industryThe sunrise industry of [NP]Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sunrise industry” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The country is focusing on sunrise-industry sectors like biotechnology.
- Sunrise-industry investment is a government priority.
American English
- The state offered tax breaks to sunrise-industry companies.
- They published a report on sunrise-industry trends.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used in investment analyses, market forecasts, and corporate strategy to identify areas for growth and capital allocation.
Academic
Found in economics, business studies, and sociology papers discussing industrial evolution and economic development.
Everyday
Rare in casual conversation; might appear in quality news articles or documentaries about the economy.
Technical
Used in policy-making, economic planning, and industrial classification reports.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “sunrise industry”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “sunrise industry”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sunrise industry”
- Using it to describe any successful company rather than a whole sector.
- Confusing it with a "start-up," which is a company, not an industry.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, it is primarily used in formal, academic, and business contexts, not in everyday casual conversation.
No. The term refers to an entire sector or industry composed of many companies. A single company within it would be a 'start-up' or a 'high-growth company'.
The direct opposite is a 'sunset industry'—a sector that is in decline, often due to technological obsolescence or market changes.
No. The term indicates perceived high potential and early-stage growth, but it does not guarantee that all companies in the sector will succeed; many may fail.
A new, emerging, and rapidly growing sector of the economy, typically based on innovative technology or a new market.
Sunrise industry: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsʌnraɪz ˈɪndəstri/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsʌnraɪz ˈɪndəstri/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “The next sunrise industry”
- “From sunrise to sunset (describing an industry lifecycle)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Imagine the sun rising over a field of new factories and tech parks – it’s a new day (sunrise) for a new kind of business (industry).
Conceptual Metaphor
INDUSTRIAL LIFECYCLE IS A DAY. (Sunrise = birth/growth; High Noon = maturity; Sunset = decline).
Practice
Quiz
Which of the following is LEAST likely to be described as a 'sunrise industry'?