aurora

noun

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au·ro·ra | \ ə-ˈrȯr-ə

, ȯ- \

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

, ȯ- \

Definition of aurora

1 : dawn

2 capitalized : 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

Other Words from aurora Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Phrases Containing aurora Learn More About aurora

Other Words from aurora

auroral \ ə-ˈrȯr-əl

, ȯ- \ adjective

aurorean \ ə-ˈrȯr-ē-ən

, ȯ- \ adjective

Examples of aurora in a Sentence

a gorgeous pink aurora aroused us out of our slumber

Recent Examples on the Web The aurora photos from the ISS were taken on Wednesday, August 17, shortly before Hines shared them on Twitter. — Joshua Hawkins, BGR, 21 Aug. 2022 The aurora will be visible closer to the horizon and will appear higher up in the sky the farther north the viewer are located. — From Usa Today Network And Wire Reports, USA TODAY, 19 Aug. 2022 Could there now be a boom in people traveling north not only to see the aurora, but also the hear it? — Jamie Carter, Forbes, 2 June 2022 The colorful aurora forms when the particles flowing from the sun get caught up in the Earth's magnetic field. — Steven Martinez, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2022 The aurora will be visible closer to the horizon, and will appear higher up in the sky the farther north you are located. — Sarah Raza, Detroit Free Press, 17 Aug. 2022 The colorful aurora forms when the particles flowing from the sun get caught up in the Earth's magnetic field. — Steven Martinez, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2022 The colorful aurora forms when the particles flowing from the sun get caught up in the Earth's magnetic field. — Steven Martinez, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 31 Mar. 2022 The colorful aurora forms when the particles flowing from the sun get caught up in the Earth's magnetic field. — Doyle Rice, USA TODAY, 30 Mar. 2022 See More

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'aurora.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.