The sun is shining.

the Determiner

— Used, instead of a, to reference something specific, already known to exist. Compare "I read a book." and "I read the book." — Used with a stress, to show that the word following is special. Are you the John Smith that I went to school with? — Used with an adjective that acts like a noun to mean all of the people concerned The poor are always with us. — Used with superlatives forms of adjectives and adverbs. You are the best.

sun Proper noun

— The sun is the star that can be seen during the day from the Earth. In the sky, it looks like a yellow circle. The sun is very hot.

sun Noun

— A star, especially a star that is at the center of a solar system. Scientists have found other suns with planets around them.

is Verb

— A form of the verb be when talking about someone or something else. He is late for class. Is it hot in here?

shining

— adjective marked by exceptional merit had shining virtues and few faults a shining example — noun (= polishing) the work of making something smooth and shiny by rubbing or waxing it the shining of shoes provided a meager living every Sunday he gave his car a good polishing — adjective (= bright, burnished, lustrous, shiny) made smooth and bright by or as if by rubbing; reflecting a sheen or glow bright silver candlesticks a burnished brass knocker she brushed her hair until it fell in lustrous auburn waves rows of shining glasses shiny black patents — adjective (= glistening, glossy, lustrous, shiny) reflecting light glistening bodies of swimmers the horse's glossy coat lustrous auburn hair saw the moon like a shiny dime on a deep blue velvet carpet shining white enamel