solar

adjective

so·​lar ˈsō-lər 

-ˌlär

1

: of, derived from, relating to, or caused by the sun

2

: measured by the earth's course in relation to the sun

a solar year

also : relating to or reckoned by solar time

3

a

: produced or operated by the action of the sun's light or heat

solar energy

b

: utilizing the sun's rays especially to produce heat or electricity

a solar house

also : of or relating to such utilization

solar design

Examples of solar in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The 321-foot (98-meter) rocket lifted off from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station in Florida after a four-day delay due to weather and solar storms. —Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 14 Nov. 2025

Somewhat ironically, space weather was also the cause of the mission’s latest delays, as a severe solar storm on Wednesday made conditions in Earth orbit too risky to attempt a planned launch. —Claire Cameron, Scientific American, 13 Nov. 2025

Northern lights adventures have been particularly appealing over the last couple of years, as the sun is currently in the solar maximum phase of its 11-year cycle, meaning the aurora borealis is at its most active through 2026. —Lydia Price, Travel + Leisure, 13 Nov. 2025

Decentralized renewables like solar mini-grids or rooftop panels are also better at reaching more rural areas where grid connections can be pricey and faulty. —Natasha Bracken, semafor.com, 13 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin solaris, from sol sun; akin to Old English & Old Norse sōl sun, Lithuanian saulė, Greek hēlios

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing solar

• mean solar day
• solar battery
• solar cell
• solar collector
• solar constant
• solar day
• solar eclipse
• solar farm
• solar flare
• solar mass
• solar panel
• solar park
• solar plexus
• solar pond
• solar sail
• solar system
• solar wind

Rhymes for solar

• bowler
• choler
• dolor
• molar
• polar
• roller
• soler
• stroller
• troller
• volar
• ambipolar
• areolar

Kids Definition

solar

adjective

so·​lar ˈsō-lər 

-ˌlär

1

: of, derived from, relating to, or caused by the sun

2

: measured by the earth's course in relation to the sun

solar time

solar year

3

a

: produced or operated by the action of the sun's light or heat

solar energy

b

: using the sun's rays especially to produce heat or electricity

a solar house

Etymology

Middle English solar "derived from or related to the sun," from Latin solaris (same meaning), from sol "sun" — related to sunday see Word History at sunday