Illustration of corona
- a corona 2c
plural coronas
1
: the projecting part of a classic cornice
2
: something suggesting a crown: such as
a
plural coronae
kə-ˈrō-(ˌ)nē 
also coronas
also coronas
(1)
: a usually colored circle often seen around and close to a luminous body (such as the sun or moon) caused by diffraction produced by suspended droplets or occasionally particles of dust
(2)
: the tenuous outermost part of the atmosphere of a star (such as the sun)
(3)
: a circle of light made by the apparent convergence of the streamers of the aurora borealis
b
: the upper portion of a bodily part (such as a tooth or the skull)
c
: an appendage or series of united appendages on the inner side of the corolla in some flowers (such as the daffodil, jonquil, or milkweed)
d
: a faint glow adjacent to the surface of an electrical conductor at high voltage
e
informal
: coronavirus
In the fight against the consequences of the corona epidemic, the Italian government is resorting to radical measures.—
Anne Kunz et al.
Anne Kunz et al.3
[from La Corona, a trademark]
: a long cigar having the sides straight to the end to be lit and being roundly blunt at the other end
Examples of corona in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
All the people around me fell silent amid the cool, still air, and the corona of the sun radiated and wisped above.
—Maya Silver, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Apr. 2024
During totality, viewers may see a corona, the outermost part of the sun's atmosphere.
—Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2024
Google users who search about the eclipse can see a graphic overlay depicting what millions on the path of totality will see Monday: the moment when the moon passes between the sun and Earth, revealing just the sun's outermost layer called the corona.
—USA TODAY, 8 Apr. 2024
At all other times, the Sun’s own brightness obscures this corona from our vision.
—Justine Calma, The Verge, 8 Apr. 2024
Total eclipses don't produce rays that cause blindness, NASA says
During totality, electromagnetic radiation from the sun's corona will not harm you.
—Bill Chappell, NPR, 8 Apr. 2024
One of the agency’s main priorities will be to observe the sun’s outer atmosphere, or the corona, which normally can’t be seen because the star is too bright.
—Maura Barrett, NBC News, 8 Apr. 2024
Then, at totality, the wispy, ethereal tendrils of the corona of the sun extend in various directions.
—Dean Regas, The Enquirer, 7 Apr. 2024
One reason scientists are so eager to study the Sun’s corona is its role in our solar system’s weather.
—Wes Davis, The Verge, 3 Apr. 2024
Maya Silver, Condé Nast Traveler, 11 Apr. 2024
During totality, viewers may see a corona, the outermost part of the sun's atmosphere.
—Aliza Chasan, CBS News, 8 Apr. 2024
Google users who search about the eclipse can see a graphic overlay depicting what millions on the path of totality will see Monday: the moment when the moon passes between the sun and Earth, revealing just the sun's outermost layer called the corona.
—USA TODAY, 8 Apr. 2024
At all other times, the Sun’s own brightness obscures this corona from our vision.
—Justine Calma, The Verge, 8 Apr. 2024
Total eclipses don't produce rays that cause blindness, NASA says
During totality, electromagnetic radiation from the sun's corona will not harm you.
—Bill Chappell, NPR, 8 Apr. 2024
One of the agency’s main priorities will be to observe the sun’s outer atmosphere, or the corona, which normally can’t be seen because the star is too bright.
—Maura Barrett, NBC News, 8 Apr. 2024
Then, at totality, the wispy, ethereal tendrils of the corona of the sun extend in various directions.
—Dean Regas, The Enquirer, 7 Apr. 2024
One reason scientists are so eager to study the Sun’s corona is its role in our solar system’s weather.
—Wes Davis, The Verge, 3 Apr. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'corona.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near corona
Cite this Entry
“Corona.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/corona. Accessed 25 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
corona
noun
co·ro·na
kə-ˈrō-nə
1
: a usually colored circle often seen around and close to a shining body (as the sun or moon)
2
: the outermost part of the atmosphere of a star (as the sun)
3
: a faint glow next to the surface of an electrical conductor at high voltage
coronal
adjective
ˈkȯr-ən-ᵊl
ˈkär-;
kə-ˈrōn-
Medical Definition
corona
noun
co·ro·na
kə-ˈrō-nə
1
: the upper portion of a bodily part (as a tooth or the skull)
2
informal
: coronavirus
Geographical Definition
Corona
geographical name
Co·ro·na
kə-ˈrō-nə
city in southern California east of Los Angeles population 152,374
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