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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Radioisotope systems can continue generating power in regions where solar energy becomes difficult to collect. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2026 Solaria Goldman has given Solaria — which designs and installs solar, thermal, photovoltaic and wind energy plants — a 25 euro ($28) price target, implying a 52% upside. — Hugh Leask, CNBC, 2 Oct. 2026 At the same time, these satellite data centers could feasibly harness the nearly unlimited, clean solar energy that an orbital location affords. — Adam Kovac, Scientific American, 1 Oct. 2026 Newsom also signed other legislation Wednesday that advocates for small-scale solar and home batteries had been pushing for. — Blanca Begert, Los Angeles Times, 1 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for solar

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of solar was in the 15th century

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Solar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/solar. Accessed 3 Oct. 2026.

Kids Definition

solar

adjective
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

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