aurora borealis

noun

aurora bo·​re·​al·​is -ˌbȯr-ē-ˈa-ləs 

: an aurora that occurs in earth's northern hemisphere

called also northern lights

Examples of aurora borealis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Northern lights, or the aurora borealis, occur when solar activity — such as solar flares or coronal mass ejections — triggers magnetic storms. —Valerie Mesa, People.com, 2 Sep. 2025

The possibility of displays of the aurora borealis at more southerly latitudes than is typical is down to an increase in solar activity. —Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 2 Sep. 2025

According to the National Weather Service, a coronal mass ejection (CME) erupted from the sun over the weekend and will give roughly 18 states a chance at catching one of the best displays of the aurora borealis since the spring. —Nick Jachim - 09, The Hill, 1 Sep. 2025

The northern lights, otherwise known as the aurora borealis, is one of nature’s most enchanting phenomenon. —Sophie Friedman, AFAR Media, 19 Aug. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, literally, northern dawn

First Known Use

1707, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for aurora borealis

• allis
• balas
• callous
• callus
• chalice
• gallus
• malice
• malus
• palace
• pallas
• phallus
• talis

Kids Definition

aurora borealis

noun

aurora bo·​re·​al·​is -ˌbōr-ē-ˈal-əs 

-ˌbȯr-

: broad bands of light that have a magnetic and electrical source and that appear in the sky at night especially in the arctic region

called also northern lights