solar
1 Americanadjective
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of or relating to the sun.
solar phenomena.
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determined by the sun.
solar hour.
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proceeding from the sun, as light or heat.
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utilizing, operated by, or depending on solar energy.
a solar building;
a solar stove.
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indicating time by means of or with reference to the sun.
a solar chronometer.
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manufacturing or providing solar power.
the solar industry.
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Astrology. subject to the influence of the sun.
noun
noun
adjective
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of or relating to the sun
solar eclipse
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operating by or utilizing the energy of the sun
solar cell
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astronomy determined from the motion of the earth relative to the sun
solar year
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astrology subject to the influence of the sun
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Relating to the Sun.
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Using or operated by energy from the Sun.
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Measured in reference to the Sun.
Etymology
Origin of solar1
First recorded in 1400–50; late Middle English, from Latin sōlāris, equivalent to sōl + -āris adjective suffix; see origin at sun, -ar 1
Origin of solar2
First recorded before 900; Middle English solar, soler, from Old English solor, soler, and Anglo-French soler, Old French solier, from Latin sōlārium solarium
Explanation
Does it come from the sun? Is it related to the sunshine? Does it depend on sunny rays of light to function? Then it's probably safe to call it solar. The ancient Egyptians worshiped the sun god Ra, shaping their lives around the sun's golden rays and even following a solar calendar. Today sun worship is experiencing a renaissance, as more and more people become interested in harnessing the big star's power for "solar energy." Whatever way you decide to partake in solar enjoyment, just remember to wear sunblock.
Vocabulary lists containing solar
Eclipse Vocabulary
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Oh, My Stars! A Solstice Sampler
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Weather and Climate - Introductory
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
This year, utilities made similar arguments against both the community solar and balcony solar bills.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 31, 2026
One hour and 23 minutes after launch, the Roman team confirmed that the observatory's solar panels and lower instrument sun shade had deployed successfully.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 31, 2026
The firm’s revenue primarily comes from its renewable power unit, which focuses on developing solar and battery systems.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 31, 2026
"It will be the biggest catalog of astronomical objects anybody's ever produced, and it will help us understand how common are solar systems like our own," Dave Content, Roman's technical manager, told AFP.
From Barron's ● Aug. 30, 2026
Most of the time, though, we would just be living like always, and talking about things, and then we’d make the solar system out of vegetables.
From "Ida B" by Katherine Hannigan
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
