solarium
Americannoun
-
solariums,
plural
-
solaria
plural
noun
-
a room built largely of glass to afford exposure to the sun
-
a bed equipped with ultraviolet lights used for acquiring an artificial suntan
-
an establishment offering such facilities
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."
Vocabulary lists containing solarium
Oh, My Stars! A Solstice Sampler
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Elements of the Universe: Sol ("Sun")
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
The Sun – Introductory
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
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:
The venue, which opened in 1932 as a tea room and solarium, has been in Underwood's family since 2004.
From BBC ● Aug. 11, 2026
In addition to the open-plan kitchen and living area, the home also boasts a wood-paneled library, a beautiful solarium, a playroom, and a screening room that comes complete with its own bar.
From MarketWatch ● Dec. 15, 2025
The 175,000-square-foot building, purchased from real estate company Tishman Speyer, features an atrium sky bridge, a solarium, Zen-like gardens and an outdoor terrace.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 30, 2024
Over time it’s been upgraded with a new foyer, parlor, a solarium and even a breakfast nook.
From Seattle Times ● Apr. 3, 2023
Battalions of gossip post-balloons swarm the solarium as the morning-lanterns are lit.
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 J. G. (John Gideon) Millingen
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
![]()
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions 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.