aurora

noun

au·​ro·​ra ə-ˈrȯr-ə How to pronounce aurora (audio)
ȯ-
plural auroras or aurorae ə-ˈrȯr-(ˌ)ē How to pronounce aurora (audio)
ȯ-
Synonyms of auroranext
1
: dawn
2
capitalized : the Roman goddess of dawn compare eos
3
: a luminous phenomenon that consists of streamers or arches of light appearing in the upper atmosphere of a planet's magnetic polar regions and is caused by the emission of light from atoms excited by electrons accelerated along the planet's magnetic field lines
auroral
ə-ˈrȯr-əl How to pronounce aurora (audio)
ȯ-
adjective
aurorean
ə-ˈrȯr-ē-ən How to pronounce aurora (audio)
ȯ-
adjective

Synonyms

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Examples of aurora in a Sentence

a gorgeous pink aurora aroused us out of our slumber
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.
It’s known to be a particularly active time for auroras due to the tilt of the Earth. — Stephanie Vermillion, Travel + Leisure, 1 Mar. 2025 Exactly one month ago, NOAA predicted the auroras to be visible on New Year's Eve. — Skyler Caruso, People.com, 31 Jan. 2025 While sunspots are in many ways the opposite of coronal holes, this is still good news for those after a glimpse of the northern lights—as sunspots are known to release both solar flares and coronal mass ejections, which can trigger stunning aurora here on Earth. — Barbara A. Perry, Newsweek, 28 Jan. 2025 Most people experience auroras from on the ground where the lights dance across the horizon. — Amanda Kooser, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025 See All Example Sentences for aurora

Word History

Etymology

Latin — more at east

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of aurora was in the 14th century

Phrases Containing aurora

Rhymes for aurora

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Browse Nearby Words

aurora
Aurora
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Cite this Entry

“Aurora.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aurora. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.

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Geographical Definition

Aurora

geographical name

Au·​ro·​ra ə-ˈrȯr-ə How to pronounce Aurora (audio)
ȯ-
1
city in north central Colorado east of Denver population 325,078
2
city west of Chicago in northeastern Illinois population 197,899
3
town north of Toronto in southeastern Ontario, Canada population 53,203

More from Merriam-Webster on aurora

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about aurora

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