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

Coal remains a major energy source in China despite the country’s massive buildout of wind and solar power. — ABC News, 14 July 2026

The utility said the settlements also allow Duke to cover costs from February’s winter storm using surplus hurricane bond funds and increase the use of federal solar tax credits to lower customer bills. — Nora O'Neill, Charlotte Observer, 13 July 2026

For example, Rhodium Group analyst Armand Meyer and his colleagues estimate that foreign direct investments since 2014 by Chinese companies in all clean tech sectors — solar, wind and EVs — was around $173 billion. — Robert Ferris, CNBC, 13 July 2026

In contrast, clean solar is the world’s cheapest form of energy, and in countries that have deployed it successfully consumer energy prices are decreasing. — Liat Olenick, New York Daily News, 13 July 2026

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
• dolor
• molar
• polar
• roller
• soler
• stroller
• troller
• volar
• ambipolar
• areolar
• bronchiolar

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