corona

noun

co·​ro·​na kə-ˈrō-nə How to pronounce corona (audio)
plural coronas
1
: the projecting part of a classic cornice
2
: something suggesting a crown: such as
a plural coronae kə-ˈrō-(ˌ)nē How to pronounce corona (audio) 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.
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

Illustration of corona

Illustration of corona
  • a corona 2c

Examples of corona in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Above the chromosphere, temperatures rapidly increase through a thin transition region, before reaching the solar corona. Ryan French, Space.com, 22 July 2025 Spacecraft studied solar chromosphere For the latest mission from White Sands, a Black Brant IX sounding rocket carried new technology to study the sun's mysterious chromosphere, located between the sun's visible surface, known as the photosphere, and its outer layer, the corona. Eric Lagatta, USA Today, 21 July 2025 Only during a total solar eclipse can the corona be glimpsed from Earth’s surface, and even then, only for a few minutes from any one location. Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025 Scientists took images of the sun’s corona during the summers of 2023 and 2024. Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 4 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for corona

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin corōna "garland worn on the head as a mark of honor or emblem of majesty, halo around a celestial body, top part of an entablature" — more at crown entry 1

First Known Use

1563, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of corona was in 1563

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Corona.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/corona. Accessed 27 Jul. 2025.

Kids Definition

corona

noun
co·​ro·​na kə-ˈrō-nə How to pronounce corona (audio)
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
ˈkȯr-ən-ᵊl
ˈkär-;
kə-ˈrōn-
adjective

Medical Definition

corona

noun
co·​ro·​na kə-ˈrō-nə How to pronounce corona (audio)
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 How to pronounce Corona (audio)
city in southern California east of Los Angeles population 152,374

More from Merriam-Webster on corona

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