plural auroras or aurorae
ə-ˈrȯr-(ˌ)ē 
ȯ-
1
: dawn
2
Aurora
: 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
Examples of aurora in a Sentence
a gorgeous pink aurora aroused us out of our slumber
Recent Examples on the Web
Auroras are typically easiest to see after full darkness sets in and before dawn, when the sky is darkest and solar particles interacting with Earth's magnetic field create glowing arcs and shimmering curtains of light.
—
Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026
The journey produced stunning photos, including one of Earth that captured incredible detail, such as auroras lighting up the atmosphere.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026
To their surprise, though, the prolonged auroras of 1204 left no corresponding surge in carbon-14.
—Jacek Krywko, Scientific American, 10 Apr. 2026
According to the latest forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC), a minor (G1) geomagnetic storm sparked by fast-moving solar winds could make auroras visible across as many as 10 northern states.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 10 Apr. 2026
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Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 10 Apr. 2026
The journey produced stunning photos, including one of Earth that captured incredible detail, such as auroras lighting up the atmosphere.
—Jeanine Santucci, USA Today, 10 Apr. 2026
To their surprise, though, the prolonged auroras of 1204 left no corresponding surge in carbon-14.
—Jacek Krywko, Scientific American, 10 Apr. 2026
According to the latest forecast from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration's Space Weather Prediction Center (SWPC), a minor (G1) geomagnetic storm sparked by fast-moving solar winds could make auroras visible across as many as 10 northern states.
—Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 10 Apr. 2026
See All Example Sentences for aurora
Cite this Entry
“Aurora.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aurora. Accessed 14 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationGeographical Definition
Aurora
geographical name
Au·ro·ra
ə-ˈrȯr-ə
ȯ-
1
city in north central Colorado east of Denver population 325,078
2
city west of Chicago in northeastern Illinois population 197,899
3
town north of Toronto in southeastern Ontario, Canada population 53,203
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