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
Examples of aurora in a Sentence
a gorgeous pink aurora aroused us out of our slumber
Recent Examples on the Web
The stronger the solar wind, the more dynamic and widespread the auroras can become.
—
Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 17 Apr. 2026
When the particle stream interacts with gases in the planet's magnetic field, beautiful auroras are produced.
—Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2026
Another photo shows the nightside of the whole Earth, featuring the Sun’s halo, auroras and city lights.
—Christye Sisson, The Conversation, 13 Apr. 2026
Auroras are typically easiest to see after full darkness sets in and before dawn, when the sky is darkest and solar particles interacting with Earth's magnetic field create glowing arcs and shimmering curtains of light.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for aurora
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Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 17 Apr. 2026
When the particle stream interacts with gases in the planet's magnetic field, beautiful auroras are produced.
—Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 16 Apr. 2026
Another photo shows the nightside of the whole Earth, featuring the Sun’s halo, auroras and city lights.
—Christye Sisson, The Conversation, 13 Apr. 2026
Auroras are typically easiest to see after full darkness sets in and before dawn, when the sky is darkest and solar particles interacting with Earth's magnetic field create glowing arcs and shimmering curtains of light.
—Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for aurora
Cite this Entry
“Aurora.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aurora. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationGeographical 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
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