aurora borealis

noun

aurora bo·​re·​al·​is -ˌbȯr-ē-ˈa-ləs How to pronounce aurora borealis (audio)
: an aurora that occurs in earth's northern hemisphere

called also northern lights

Examples of aurora borealis 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.
Almost 15 years later, seeing the aurora borealis is a bit like a drug, says photographer Ronn Murray. Daniel Wolfe, Washington Post, 6 Jan. 2023 Canada’s aurora borealis was barely visible to the naked eye, but an extended exposure just might pick up some of the slack. Sunset Magazine, 4 Nov. 2022 Phillips estimates that the aurora borealis will be visible as far south as New York and Idaho as well. Eric MacK, Forbes, 16 Aug. 2022 Throughout history, humans have gazed in awe at the astronomical wonder that is the aurora borealis. Jonathan Shipley, Discover Magazine, 2 May 2022 See all Example Sentences for aurora borealis 

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, literally, northern dawn

First Known Use

1707, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of aurora borealis was in 1707

Dictionary Entries Near aurora borealis

Cite this Entry

“Aurora borealis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aurora%20borealis. Accessed 30 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

aurora borealis

noun
aurora bo·​re·​al·​is -ˌbōr-ē-ˈal-əs How to pronounce aurora borealis (audio)
-ˌbȯr-
: broad bands of light that have a magnetic and electrical source and that appear in the sky at night especially in the arctic region

called also northern lights

More from Merriam-Webster on aurora borealis

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