sunspot

noun

sun·​spot ˈsən-ˌspät How to pronounce sunspot (audio)
: any of the dark spots that appear at times on the sun's surface and are usually visible only through a telescope

Examples of sunspot 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.
In addition to softening skin, tocopherol fends off free radicals found in the environment, the likes of which contribute to sunspots, sagging, and other signs of aging. Sophie Wirt, InStyle, 5 Jan. 2026 The peak of this solar cycle — called solar maximum — is when sunspots, solar flares and coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are the most frequent. Ryan French, Space.com, 18 Dec. 2025 Since then, based on what’s actually happened on the sun, Mark Miesch of NOAA has given monthly updates to the panel’s forecast—whose timing was off and whose sunspot-activity prediction had proven too low. Sarah Scoles, Scientific American, 10 Dec. 2025 Scientists may see more space weather activity between December 1 and December 5, NOAA said, as the sun's newly emerging sunspot region rotates to face the Earth. Kerry Breen, CBS News, 2 Dec. 2025 See All Example Sentences for sunspot

Word History

First Known Use

1676, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of sunspot was in 1676

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Cite this Entry

“Sunspot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/sunspot. Accessed 10 Jan. 2026.

Kids Definition

sunspot

noun
sun·​spot -ˌspät How to pronounce sunspot (audio)
: one of the dark spots that appear from time to time on the sun's surface and are usually visible only through a telescope

More from Merriam-Webster on sunspot

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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