solar

adjective

so·​lar ˈsō-lər 

-ˌlär

1

: of, derived from, relating to, or caused by the sun

2

: measured by the earth's course in relation to the sun

a solar year

also : relating to or reckoned by solar time

3

a

: produced or operated by the action of the sun's light or heat

solar energy

b

: utilizing the sun's rays especially to produce heat or electricity

a solar house

also : of or relating to such utilization

solar design

Examples of solar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Kyoto is located at 35 degrees north, which is a rather low latitude to be witnessing an aurora since auroral lights are usually confined to the poles — the stronger the solar storm, the closer to the mid-latitudes the lights are seen. —Keith Cooper, Space.com, 22 May 2026

Chinese solar exports to Africa in April surged 83% year-on-year, as the energy crisis sparked by the Iran war fuels a surge in global demand for renewable energy. —Paige Bruton, semafor.com, 22 May 2026

Reliable solar power in vulnerable communities can support refrigeration, irrigation, communications, schools, clinics, local businesses and cooling during dangerous heatwaves. —Ingmar Rentzhog, Forbes.com, 22 May 2026

Compared to the same quarter the year earlier, solar was up by 24 percent. —ArsTechnica, 22 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin solaris, from sol sun; akin to Old English & Old Norse sōl sun, Lithuanian saulė, Greek hēlios

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing solar

• mean solar day
• solar battery
• solar cell
• solar collector
• solar constant
• solar day
• solar eclipse
• solar farm
• solar flare
• solar mass
• solar panel
• solar park
• solar plexus
• solar pond
• solar sail
• solar system
• solar wind

Rhymes for solar

• bowler
• dolor
• molar
• polar
• roller
• soler
• stroller
• troller
• volar
• ambipolar
• areolar
• bronchiolar

Kids Definition

solar

adjective

so·​lar ˈsō-lər 

-ˌlär

1

: of, derived from, relating to, or caused by the sun

2

: measured by the earth's course in relation to the sun

solar time

solar year

3

a

: produced or operated by the action of the sun's light or heat

solar energy

b

: using the sun's rays especially to produce heat or electricity

a solar house

Etymology

Middle English solar "derived from or related to the sun," from Latin solaris (same meaning), from sol "sun" — related to sunday see Word History at sunday