aurora

noun

au·​ro·​ra ə-ˈrȯr-ə 

ȯ-

plural auroras or aurorae ə-ˈrȯr-(ˌ)ē 

ȯ-

1

: dawn

2

Aurora : the Roman goddess of dawn compare eos

3

: a luminous phenomenon that consists of streamers or arches of light appearing in the upper atmosphere of a planet's magnetic polar regions and is caused by the emission of light from atoms excited by electrons accelerated along the planet's magnetic field lines

auroral

ə-ˈrȯr-əl 

ȯ-

adjective

aurorean

ə-ˈrȯr-ē-ən 

ȯ-

adjective

Synonyms of aurora

• sunrise
• day
• dawn
• morning
• morn

Examples of aurora in a Sentence

a gorgeous pink aurora aroused us out of our slumber

Recent Examples on the Web

Keep in mind that tonight's Strawberry Moon may make auroras harder to see due to the bright moonlight. — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 29 June 2026

Start checking after sunset, but don't expect the aurora to perform on command! — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 12 June 2026

These events create giant rotating auroras that can span hundreds or even thousands of kilometers. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 21 June 2026

However, the agency is not forecasting any space weather, such as solar winds, which can make the aurora more visible and vivid for viewers. — Zachary Folk, Forbes.com, 18 June 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin — more at east

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing aurora

• aurora australis
• aurora borealis

Rhymes for aurora

• aurorae
• fedora
• menorah
• minora
• pandora
• pecora
• senhora
• senora
• signora
• aura
• bora
• burra

Kids Definition

aurora

noun

au·​ro·​ra ə-ˈrōr-ə 

ȯ-ˈrōr-, 

-ˈrȯr-

plural auroras or aurorae -ē 

1

: dawn entry 2 sense 1

2

: aurora borealis

3

: aurora australis

auroral

-əl 

adjective

Geographical Definition

Aurora

geographical name

Au·​ro·​ra ə-ˈrȯr-ə 

ȯ-

1

city in north central Colorado east of Denver population 325,078

2

city west of Chicago in northeastern Illinois population 197,899

3

town north of Toronto in southeastern Ontario, Canada population 53,203