aurora

noun

au·​ro·​ra ə-ˈrȯr-ə How to pronounce aurora (audio)
ȯ-
plural auroras or aurorae ə-ˈrȯr-(ˌ)ē How to pronounce aurora (audio)
ȯ-
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
auroral adjective
aurorean adjective

Examples of aurora in a Sentence

a gorgeous pink aurora aroused us out of our slumber
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Topline A number of states in the northern United States may have the chance to see the Northern Lights on Thanksgiving night into Friday as a geomagnetic storm is expected to pull the aurora borealis south, according to a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration forecast. Molly Bohannon, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2024 The dazzling phenomenon – aka the aurora borealis – should be visible on Thanksgiving and Black Friday in parts of the northern United States, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration says. Laura L. Davis, USA TODAY, 27 Nov. 2024 This means that the aurora borealis may be viewed from lower latitudes than usual this year. Yaakov Katz, Newsweek, 27 Nov. 2024 The aurora borealis could grace the skies of northern New York on Thanksgiving and Black Friday, if a solar storm delivers in fierceness and the weather cooperates. Theresa Braine, New York Daily News, 27 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for aurora 

Word History

Etymology

Latin — more at east

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of aurora was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near aurora

Cite this Entry

“Aurora.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aurora. Accessed 7 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

aurora

noun
au·​ro·​ra ə-ˈrōr-ə How to pronounce aurora (audio)
ȯ-ˈrōr-,
-ˈrȯr-
plural auroras or aurorae -ē How to pronounce aurora (audio)
auroral adjective

Geographical Definition

Aurora

geographical name

Au·​ro·​ra ə-ˈrȯr-ə How to pronounce Aurora (audio)
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

More from Merriam-Webster on aurora

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