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
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.
One project, worth $400 million, would have seen the installation of solar and battery storage systems in low-income homes and those with medical needs. — Dánica Coto, Los Angeles Times, 6 Nov. 2026 While some solar and battery storage is part of that mix, most of the expansion will be powered by gas. — Kristi Swartz, AJC.com, 6 Nov. 2026 Traditional oil and gas majors sank, while solar and green energy stocks surged, driven by expectations that a Democratic Congress will resume pushing subsidies for them. — Michael Khouw, CNBC, 6 Nov. 2026 Earth’s ionosphere is a region of the upper atmosphere, extending from roughly 30 to 600 miles above sea level, where solar radiation ionizes atoms and molecules, according to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. — Don Sweeney, Sacbee.com, 5 Nov. 2026 See All Example Sentences for solar

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of solar was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Solar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/solar. Accessed 7 Nov. 2026.

Kids Definition

solar

adjective
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

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