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solarium

American  
[suh-lair-ee-uhm, soh-] / səˈlɛər i əm, soʊ- /

noun

  • solariums,
    plural
  • solaria
    plural
  1. a glass-enclosed room, porch, or the like, exposed to the sun's rays, as at a seaside hotel or for convalescents in a hospital.


solarium British  
/ səʊˈlɛərɪəm /

noun

  1. a room built largely of glass to afford exposure to the sun

  2. a bed equipped with ultraviolet lights used for acquiring an artificial suntan

  3. an establishment offering such facilities

"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

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

Etymology

Origin of solarium

1815–25; < Latin sōlārium balcony, terrace, equivalent to sōl the sun + -ārium -ary

Explanation

A solarium is a room or part of a building that's made to be very sunny. You can also call a solarium a "sun room." Houses, restaurants, hospitals, and museums, among other buildings, sometimes include a solarium. This sun-filled room is similar to a porch, but instead of being open or enclosed with screens, it's lined with glass windows. Many solar-heated buildings include solariums in their design, since glass-enclosed rooms tend to stay very warm on sunny days. In Latin, solarium means "sundial" and also "that which is exposed to the sun."

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Vocabulary lists containing solarium

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.

See Examples For:

Then, they moved to the solarium, which already boasted a slew of colorful and lit up greenery, which they hung baubles from.

From MarketWatch Dec. 30, 2025

Over time it’s been upgraded with a new foyer, parlor, a solarium and even a breakfast nook.

From Seattle Times Apr. 3, 2023

“Watch party, she said. They got that solarium and they were going to watch the, you know—” He waved a hand vaguely.

From Slate Jul. 30, 2022

Four bedrooms, six baths, original design and details, antique mahogany woodwork, glass solarium, gourmet kitchen; 8,010 square feet.

From Washington Times Jul. 1, 2021

Du Barry took us into the solarium in the north wing of the house for a lesson.

From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton

To enjoy this reviving influence, the ancients had terraces on their house-tops called solaria, in which, to use their own expression, they took a solar air-bath.

From Curiosities of Medical Experience by Millingen, J. G. (John Gideon)

Gone are the nostalgic sun-lit solariums bordered by fake hanging plants.

From Salon Aug. 22, 2023

Not only can’t the Lavanians agree on an accent, but the structures that make up the king’s castle can’t agree on an architecture style, settling on a bizarre mix of mildewed gargoyles and modernist solariums.

From New York Times Jan. 20, 2022

The indoor-outdoor space comprises 10 different pools, adults-only hammams, Jacuzzis, solariums and more.

From Washington Post Jul. 20, 2017

We set up our cribs in closets and narrow solariums, the city views taped over with blackout paper.

From Slate Jun. 9, 2017

We pass grand ballrooms and glass solariums and ornate parlors.

From "The Belles" by Dhonielle Clayton

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