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

On clear spring and summer nights the Milky Way arcs overhead, and during periods of high solar activity, the aurora borealis has been known to show up. — John Godfrey Published, Midwest Living, 8 Aug. 2026

The specter of the aurora borealis appearing during totality in the skies above Iceland and Greenland during totality is getting eclipse chasers excited. — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 3 Aug. 2026

The aurora borealis can be seen from town up to 300 nights a year with peak aurora viewing season running from January to March. — Evie Carrick, Travel + Leisure, 26 July 2026

Either way, be sure to look up — a burst of solar material traveling toward Earth could present the opportunity to witness the aurora borealis from parts of the northern United States overnight on Monday, June 29, into Tuesday, June 30. — Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 29 June 2026

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