corona

noun

co·​ro·​na kə-ˈrō-nə 

plural coronas

1

: the projecting part of a classic cornice

2

: something suggesting a crown: such as

a plural coronae kə-ˈrō-(ˌ)nē  also coronas

(1)

: a usually colored circle often seen around and close to a luminous body (such as the sun or moon) caused by diffraction produced by suspended droplets or occasionally particles of dust

(2)

: the tenuous outermost part of the atmosphere of a star (such as the sun)

(3)

: a circle of light made by the apparent convergence of the streamers of the aurora borealis

b

: the upper portion of a bodily part (such as a tooth or the skull)

c

: an appendage or series of united appendages on the inner side of the corolla in some flowers (such as the daffodil, jonquil, or milkweed)

d

: a faint glow adjacent to the surface of an electrical conductor at high voltage

e

informal : coronavirus

In the fight against the consequences of the corona epidemic, the Italian government is resorting to radical measures.

—Anne Kunz et al.

3

[from La Corona, a trademark] : a long cigar having the sides straight to the end to be lit and being roundly blunt at the other end

Illustration of corona

• a corona 2c

Examples of corona in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

One reason scientists are so eager to study the Sun’s corona is its role in our solar system’s weather. —Wes Davis, The Verge, 3 Apr. 2024

But the most spectacular thing to see will be the sun's magnificent corona, according to scientists. —Nora Colomer, Fox News, 20 Mar. 2024

But during a total solar eclipse, these conditions are flipped, as the blazing corona becomes visible against a shadowed sun. —Catherine Duncan, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Mar. 2024

No Filter During Totality The Sun’s disk outshines the corona by a million times. —Michael E. Bakich, Discover Magazine, 24 Feb. 2024

Those same streamers will likely be more pervasive, making the corona brighter when the moon blocks the sun's disk and brings on totality. —Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 13 Mar. 2024

And the once-familiar sun becomes a black void in the sky surrounded by the glowing corona — that's the ghostly white ring that is the sun's atmosphere. —Nell Greenfieldboyce, NPR, 8 Mar. 2024

The red spots at the top of the corona of the Sun during the total solar eclipse are called Bailey's beads. —Michael E. Bakich, Discover Magazine, 4 Mar. 2024

People experiencing totality might see the outer atmosphere of the sun, or the corona. —Eleanor Nash, Kansas City Star, 1 Mar. 2024

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin corōna "garland worn on the head as a mark of honor or emblem of majesty, halo around a celestial body, top part of an entablature" — more at crown entry 1

First Known Use

1563, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing corona

• corona radiata

Kids Definition

corona

noun

co·​ro·​na kə-ˈrō-nə 

1

: a usually colored circle often seen around and close to a shining body (as the sun or moon)

2

: the outermost part of the atmosphere of a star (as the sun)

3

: a faint glow next to the surface of an electrical conductor at high voltage

coronal

ˈkȯr-ən-ᵊl

ˈkär-;

kə-ˈrōn-

adjective

Medical Definition

corona

noun

co·​ro·​na kə-ˈrō-nə 

1

: the upper portion of a bodily part (as a tooth or the skull)

2

informal : coronavirus

Geographical Definition

Corona

geographical name

Co·​ro·​na kə-ˈrō-nə 

city in southern California east of Los Angeles population 152,374