solar flare

noun

: a sudden temporary outburst of energy from a small area of the sun's surface

called also flare

Examples of solar flare 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.
These displays are the result of eruptions of electromagnetic radiation, or solar flares, and bubbles of plasma that often burst along with those flares, or coronal mass ejections. Ty Roush, Forbes, 10 Dec. 2024 The northern lights occur when atoms and molecules in Earth's atmosphere clash with a solar flare, which causes the atoms in the upper atmosphere to glow, creating a spectrum of color in the night sky. Julia Jacobo, ABC News, 19 Sep. 2024 Regions of intense magnetic activity known as sunspots are proliferating on the solar surface and are capable of releasing intense bursts of radiation resulting in solar flares that can hurtle toward Earth at the speed of light, according to NOAA. Eric Lagatta, The Indianapolis Star, 28 Nov. 2024 These sunspots ultimately unleash solar flares and coronal mass ejections that charge up the solar wind and, days later, cause the Northern Lights around Earth. Jamie Carter, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024 See all Example Sentences for solar flare 

Word History

First Known Use

1938, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of solar flare was in 1938

Dictionary Entries Near solar flare

Cite this Entry

“Solar flare.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/solar%20flare. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Kids Definition

solar flare

noun
: a sudden temporary outburst of energy from a small area of the sun's surface

More from Merriam-Webster on solar flare

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