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solar wind
noun
: plasma continuously ejected from the sun's surface into and through interplanetary space
Examples of solar wind in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Its main mission was to study the solar wind and its evolution.
—Elizabeth Gamillo, Discover Magazine, 28 May 2024
Jupiter may be untouchable by solar winds, but the Jovian system—Jupiter and its moons— generates its own energetic particles.
—Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 22 May 2024
The auroras occur when the Earth's magnetic field becomes disrupted by intense solar winds traveling at 3 million mph that carry plasma particles that interact with gases – namely oxygen and nitrogen – in the planet's atmosphere.
—Stephen J. Beard, USA TODAY, 18 May 2024
As a result, scientists think that Venus lost part of its water due to solar wind hitting its upper atmosphere, causing the water molecules to escape over the 4,500 million years since the planet’s birth.
—Passant Rabie / Gizmodo, Quartz, 8 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for solar wind
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'solar wind.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1958, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near solar wind
Cite this Entry
“Solar wind.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/solar%20wind. Accessed 10 Jun. 2024.
Kids Definition
solar wind
noun
: the continuous radiation of charged particles from the sun's surface
More from Merriam-Webster on solar wind
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about solar wind
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