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northern lights

plural noun
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Definition of northern lights

: aurora borealis

Examples of northern lights in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The electromagnetic storm is expected to grow to major status Thursday, extending the area where the northern lights are visible. — Doyle Rice, The Enquirer, "Northern lights, known for glowing red and green colors, could be visible this week across northern US, Ohio," 11 Dec. 2020 The electromagnetic storm is expected to grow to major status Thursday, extending the area where the northern lights are visible. — Editors, USA TODAY, "COVID-19 vaccine, US Women’s Open tees off, Hanukkah begins: 5 things to know Thursday," 10 Dec. 2020 Curtains of color paint the night sky when the northern lights, or aurora borealis, are visible. — NBC News, "Hoped for northern lights in New England a 'big miss,' U.S. space forecaster says," 10 Dec. 2020 The northern lights were even visible in areas across the northern United States earlier this month. — Isabel Garcia, House Beautiful, "December's Full Cold Moon Is Coming Next Week," 21 Dec. 2020 Overhead, northern lights flickered, ribbons of green and pink that shimmered through the heavens. — Jerome B. Robinson, Field & Stream, "FS Classics: Tobacco on the Water," 17 Dec. 2020 So Thursday night might end up being the best night to see the northern lights. — Doyle Rice, The Enquirer, "Northern lights, known for glowing red and green colors, could be visible this week across northern US, Ohio," 11 Dec. 2020 These solar storms are the source of northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, and stronger storms increase the chances of seeing the aurora at lower latitudes. — Sophie Lewis, CBS News, "U.S. no longer expected to have rare chance to spot northern lights," 10 Dec. 2020 According to AccuWeather, the northern lights could be visible in Massachusetts and Illinois. — Isabel Garcia, House Beautiful, "The Northern Lights Could Be Visible Across Areas in the Northern U.S. Tonight," 10 Dec. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'northern lights.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of northern lights

14th century, in the meaning defined above

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Time Traveler for northern lights

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The first known use of northern lights was in the 14th century

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Statistics for northern lights

Last Updated

17 Jan 2021

Cite this Entry

“Northern lights.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/northern%20lights. Accessed 17 Jan. 2021.

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More Definitions for northern lights

northern lights

noun plural

Kids Definition of northern lights

: aurora borealis

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