solar

adjective

so·​lar ˈsō-lər How to pronounce solar (audio)
-ˌlär
1
: of, derived from, relating to, or caused by the sun
2
: measured by the earth's course in relation to the sun
a solar year
also : relating to or reckoned by solar time
3
a
: produced or operated by the action of the sun's light or heat
solar energy
b
: utilizing the sun's rays especially to produce heat or electricity
a solar house
also : of or relating to such utilization
solar design

Examples of solar 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.
This kind of telescope is ideal for solar work, being a good size aperture to reveal fine detail, but not so large as to be severely affected by daytime atmospheric turbulence. — Damian Peach, Space.com, 4 Aug. 2026 Totality reveals the solar corona — the sun’s outer atmosphere — normally hidden by its glare. — Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 3 Aug. 2026 Beijing has canceled debt on major projects in Lesotho, and among other major projects is building a new fire station, a solar power plant and even completed a police fingerprint examination laboratory. — Paul Tilsley, FOXNews.com, 2 Aug. 2026 The last solar and lunar eclipses to occur during the same eclipse season took place in February of this year. — Janet Loehrke, USA Today, 2 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for solar

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Latin solaris, from sol sun; akin to Old English & Old Norse sōl sun, Lithuanian saulė, Greek hēlios

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of solar was in the 15th century

Phrases Containing solar

Rhymes for solar

See All Rhymes for solar

Browse Nearby Words

solanum
solar
solar apex
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Solar.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/solar. Accessed 5 Aug. 2026.

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Kids Definition

solar

adjective
so·​lar ˈsō-lər How to pronounce solar (audio)
-ˌlär
1
: of, derived from, relating to, or caused by the sun
2
: measured by the earth's course in relation to the sun
solar time
solar year
3
a
: produced or operated by the action of the sun's light or heat
solar energy
b
: using the sun's rays especially to produce heat or electricity
a solar house
Etymology

Middle English solar "derived from or related to the sun," from Latin solaris (same meaning), from sol "sun" — related to sunday see Word History at sunday

More from Merriam-Webster on solar

Nglish: Translation of solar for Spanish Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about solar

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