northern lights

noun

, (used with a plural verb)

1. aurora borealis.

northern lights

plural noun

1. another name for aurora borealis

northern lights

1. See under aurora

northern lights

1. See aurora borealis .

Word History and Origins

Origin of northern lights¹

First recorded in 1715–25

Example Sentences

It’s hard not to consider humankind’s own future in this region-unspecified, newly aquatic land where mountaintops are islands, northern lights dazzle and finger-like towers that seem man-made dot the background.

From Los Angeles Times

The aurora faux pas comes just a couple of weeks after the real Northern Lights were once again spotted across the UK, following a similar sight back in May.

From BBC

I’m a meteorologist who lives in Minnesota, unequivocally one of the best places to see the northern lights without having to travel to Alaska or Iceland or freaking Svalbard.

From Slate

When I first moved here, about 10 years ago, I thought I was gonna love seeing the northern lights.

From Slate

If it seems to you that the northern lights have been in the news a lot lately, that’s because they have.

From Slate