corona

noun

co·​ro·​na kə-ˈrō-nə How to pronounce corona (audio)
plural coronas
1
: the projecting part of a classic cornice
2
: something suggesting a crown: such as
a plural coronae kə-ˈrō-(ˌ)nē How to pronounce corona (audio) 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

Illustration of corona
  • a corona 2c

Examples of corona in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web 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 Astronomers originally thought the corona was a feature of the moon—perhaps sunlight reflecting off the lunar atmosphere. Rebecca Boyle, Scientific American, 20 Feb. 2024 That’s not all for the sun’s time in the spotlight, either — solar activity will be on full display in April 2024, when a total solar eclipse will allow viewers in North America a gorgeous glimpse at the sun’s corona. Popular Science, 29 Feb. 2024 Although the moon’s shadow will arrive like clockwork and bring eerie darkness on schedule, to gawp at the sun’s corona requires a clear sky. Jamie Carter, Forbes, 28 Feb. 2024 As such, eclipses are an important time for scientists who study the corona, especially the part that’s closest to the sun, according to NASA. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'corona.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of corona was in 1563

Dictionary Entries Near corona

Cite this Entry

“Corona.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/corona. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

corona

noun
co·​ro·​na kə-ˈrō-nə How to pronounce corona (audio)
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 How to pronounce corona (audio)
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 How to pronounce Corona (audio)
city in southern California east of Los Angeles population 152,374

More from Merriam-Webster on corona

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