solar

adjective

so·​lar ˈsō-lər 

-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

But the update also decreed that new rooftop solar customers would no longer be credited at the retail rate of electricity when their systems generated surplus energy. —Rob Nikolewski, San Diego Union-Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026

Under state law, apartment dwellers cannot install rooftop solar, leaving millions of Illinoisans without viable options to generate their own renewable energy. —Chicago Tribune, 27 Mar. 2026

But once they’re installed, these technologies are largely insulated from geopolitical events, as Pakistan has proved in recent weeks by leaning on solar while neighboring Bangladesh suffers from skyrocketing gas prices. —Tim McDonnell, semafor.com, 27 Mar. 2026

Replacing solar with nuclear has two advantages in deep space. —Keith Cooper, Space.com, 27 Mar. 2026

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

Phrases Containing solar

• mean solar day
• solar battery
• solar cell
• solar collector
• solar constant
• solar day
• solar eclipse
• solar farm
• solar flare
• solar mass
• solar panel
• solar park
• solar plexus
• solar pond
• solar sail
• solar system
• solar wind

Rhymes for solar

• bowler
• choler
• dolor
• molar
• polar
• roller
• soler
• stroller
• troller
• volar
• ambipolar
• areolar

Kids Definition

solar

adjective

so·​lar ˈsō-lər 

-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