insolation

¹

[ in-soh-ley-shuhn ]

noun

1. exposure to the sun's rays, especially as a process of treatment.
2. sunstroke.

insolation

²

[ in-soh-ley-shuhn ]

noun

, Meteorology.

1. solar radiation received at the earth's surface.

insolation

/ ˌɪnsəʊˈleɪʃən /

noun

1. the quantity of solar radiation falling upon a body or planet, esp per unit area
2. exposure to the sun's rays
3. former name for sunstroke

insolation

/ ĭn′sō-lā′shən /

1. The solar radiation striking Earth or another planet.
2. The rate of delivery of solar radiation per unit of horizontal surface.

Word History and Origins

Origin of insolation¹

First recorded in 1605–15, insolation is from the Latin word insōlātiōn- (stem of insōlātiō ). See insolate, -ion

Origin of insolation²

in(coming) sol(ar radi)ation

Example Sentences

Many scientists assume that insolation flux, the amount of energy Venus receives from the sun, caused a runaway greenhouse situation that ruined the planet.

From Science Daily

Harden blossomed into an insolation superstar in Houston but has largely deferred to Embiid with the Sixers.

From Washington Times

Harden blossomed into an insolation superstar in Houston but has largely deferred to reigning NBA MVP Joel Embiid with the Sixers.

From Seattle Times

They are maps back to community, to the natural state of humans as social beings in an age of fracture and insolation.

From New York Times

Even farther out, at Ganymede, Jupiter would have appeared scarcely brighter than today’s sun—a level of insolation with no significant impact on the moon’s ice.

From Scientific American

Related Words

• solar power
• solar radiation