aurora borealis

noun aurora bo·re·al·is \ -ˌbȯr-ē-ˈa-ləs \

Updated on: 13 Apr 2018

: an aurora that occurs in earth's northern hemisphere — called also northern lights

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Recent Examples of aurora borealis from the Web

From its wraparound windows, the resort's guests-a maximum of 10 at any given time-can watch the aurora borealis dance around the sky or survey an endless horizon of jagged peaks blanketed in untouched snow.

— nikki ekstein, chicagotribune.com, "Denali National Park welcomes its first, and last, luxury hotel," 20 Feb. 2018
From its wraparound windows, the resort's guests-a maximum of 10 at any given time-can watch the aurora borealis dance around the sky or survey an endless horizon of jagged peaks blanketed in untouched snow.

— nikki ekstein, chicagotribune.com, "Denali National Park welcomes its first, and last, luxury hotel," 20 Feb. 2018
The lace was encrusted with silver bugle beads, Swarovski crystals, rhinestone and aurora borealis navettes, lochrosens and margaritas.

— sue strachan, NOLA.com, "Rex, Comus continue 100-plus year tradition at their Carnival balls," 14 Feb. 2018
But thanks to the wizardry of designer J. Riccardo Benavides, the grand Rotunda’s interior and dome dazzled like the aurora borealis, glowing green and purple with constellation projections and twirling disco balls.

— catherine bigelow, San Francisco Chronicle, "San Francisco Ballet throws a galactic gala," 30 Jan. 2018
But there's much more to do beyond the aurora borealis.

— meredith carey, Condé Nast Traveler, "Flight Deal: $69 on Wow Air to Iceland," 16 Jan. 2018
From its wraparound windows, the resort's guests-a maximum of 10 at any given time-can watch the aurora borealis dance around the sky or survey an endless horizon of jagged peaks blanketed in untouched snow.

— nikki ekstein, chicagotribune.com, "Denali National Park welcomes its first, and last, luxury hotel," 20 Feb. 2018
History blends with modern times through paintings and sculptures from native artists, as well as a light and sound installation depicting the aurora borealis.

— stephanie granada, Sunset, "10 Amazing Art Museums in the West," 22 Jan. 2018
From its wraparound windows, the resort's guests-a maximum of 10 at any given time-can watch the aurora borealis dance around the sky or survey an endless horizon of jagged peaks blanketed in untouched snow.

— nikki ekstein, chicagotribune.com, "Denali National Park welcomes its first, and last, luxury hotel," 20 Feb. 2018

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