solar

[ soh-ler ]

/ ˈsoʊ lər /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR solar ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective

of or relating to the sun: solar phenomena.

determined by the sun: solar hour.

proceeding from the sun, as light or heat.

utilizing, operated by, or depending on solar energy: a solar building; a solar stove.

indicating time by means of or with reference to the sun: a solar chronometer.

manufacturing or providing solar power: the solar industry.

Astrology. subject to the influence of the sun.

noun

Informal. solar energy.

RELATED WORDS

cosmic, stellar, empyreal, heliacal

Nearby words

Origin of solar

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin sōlāris, equivalent to sōl sun + -āris -ar¹

solar

[ sol-er, soh-ler ]

/ ˈsɒl ər, ˈsoʊ lər /

noun

a private or upper chamber in a medieval English house.

Also sollar, soller.

Origin of solar

before 900; Middle English solar, soler < Anglo-French soler, Old French solier < Latin sōlārium solarium; compare Old English solor, soler, Middle Dutch solre loft < Latin

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for solar

The service module also deploys four arrays of solar panels.
To Infinity and Beyond! NASA’s Orion Mission Blasts Off|Matthew R. Francis|December 4, 2014|DAILY BEAST
In essence, they placed a bunch of solar panels in the form of a suspension bridge on top of the lift.
Solar Powered Ski Lift|The Daily Beast|November 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The Asteroid Belt in the Solar System has many such gaps, created by the gravity of the Sun and Jupiter.
The Most Stunning View Ever of Planets Being Born|Matthew R. Francis|November 9, 2014|DAILY BEAST
And our gripes about the lack of light in our lives are not without merit — humans truly are solar powered.
Fight Seasonal Affective Disorder With This New Tracker|DailyBurn|November 7, 2014|DAILY BEAST

But the leaves and branches – the canopy it effectively creates -- is made up of solar panels.
Parks and Regeneration|The Daily Beast|November 3, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The exigencies of the solar system may make it impossible for the sun to be always there, but it should be around when wanted.
Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 156, April 30, 1919|Various
Vegetables obtain their nourishment from mineral substances, which they reduce, de-oxydize, and charge with solar energy.
The Mechanism of Life|Stphane Leduc
Beyond a doubt, a new planet of vast size now formed an addition to the solar group.
Raiders of the Universes|Donald Wandrei
It had been a tough year, filled with intensive study in the quest for an officer's commission in the Solar Guard.
The Revolt on Venus|Carey Rockwell
His floor was painted drab, and in the center were the sun and solar system depicted in yellow.
The Pot of Gold|Mary E. Wilkins

British Dictionary definitions for solar

solar

/ (ˈsəʊlə) /

adjective

of or relating to the sunsolar eclipse

operating by or utilizing the energy of the sunsolar cell

astronomy determined from the motion of the earth relative to the sunsolar year

astrology subject to the influence of the sun

Word Origin for solar

C15: from Latin sōlāris, from sōl the sun

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for solar

solar

adj.

mid-15c., "pertaining to the sun," from Latin solaris "of the sun," from sol "sun" (see sol). Meaning "living room on an upper story" is from Old English, from Latin solarium (see solarium).

Astrological sense from 1620s. Meaning "operated by means of the sun" is from 1740; solar power is attested from 1915, solar cell from 1955, solar panel from 1964. Solar system is attested from c.1704; solar wind is from 1958. Solar plexus (1771) "complex of nerves in the pit of the stomach," apparently so called from its central position in the body (cf. plexus).

Science definitions for solar