To become day; begin to grow light in the morning; grow light: as, the morning dawns.To begin to open or expand; begin to show intellectual light or power: as, his genius dawned.To begin to become visible in consequence of an increase of light or enlightenment, literally or figuratively; begin to open or appear: as, the truth dawns upon him.n. The first appearance of daylight in the morning.n. First opening or expansion; beginning; rise; first appearance: as, the dawn of intellect; the dawn of a new era.