aurora borealis

[ bawr-ee-al-is, -ey-lis, bohr- ]

noun

, Meteorology.

1. the aurora of the Northern Hemisphere.

aurora borealis

/ ˌbɔːrɪˈeɪlɪs /

noun

1. sometimes capital the aurora seen around the North Pole Also callednorthern lights

aurora borealis

1. A display of colored lights in the sky, also called northern lights, caused by the interaction of particles from the sun with the upper atmosphere near the North Pole . A similar display, called the aurora australis, occurs in the atmosphere above the South Pole.

Word History and Origins

Origin of aurora borealis¹

1621; < New Latin: northern aurora; boreal

Word History and Origins

Origin of aurora borealis¹

C17: New Latin: northern aurora

Example Sentences

The Met Office earlier said the lights, also known as aurora borealis, might be seen only as far south as the Midlands.

From BBC

A severe geomagnetic storm includes the potential for an aurora borealis — also known as the northern lights — visible as far south as Alabama and Northern California.

From Los Angeles Times

The lights - also known as aurora borealis - may make an appearance in the night sky over Scotland, Northern Ireland and northern England, according to the Met Office.

From BBC

The Northern Lights - or aurora borealis - has made regular appearances in the UK over the last few months but it takes a particularly strong geomagnetic storm for it to be visible in southern England.

From BBC

As night fell, chasers of the aurora borealis in the northern hemisphere on Friday were out again.

From New York Times