northern lights

plural noun

: aurora borealis

Examples of northern lights 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.
Snowshoeing, stargazing at Beaver Hills Dark Sky Preserve, and perhaps even catching the northern lights are just a few routes to affordable winter fun here, too. — Terry Ward, Travel + Leisure, 17 Oct. 2026 Ultimately, the best northern lights trip isn't necessarily the one with the strongest forecast or the highest latitude. — Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 16 Oct. 2026 In fall 2027 there will be many pit stops at under-the-radar Christmas markets in Spain, France, and Italy with Regent Seven Seas Cruises, and northern lights pursuits in Norway with Holland America Line. — Brittany Chang, Condé Nast Traveler, 15 Oct. 2026 Also, the higher the number, the farther south the northern lights may appear. — Michele Laufik, Martha Stewart, 8 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for northern lights

Word History

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of northern lights was in the 14th century

Rhymes for northern lights

See All Rhymes for northern lights

Browse Nearby Words

northernize
northern lights
northernly
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Northern lights.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/northern%20lights. Accessed 22 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

northern lights

plural noun
: aurora borealis
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of vocation

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

'Can' vs. 'May'

'Affect' vs. 'Effect'

More Commonly Mispronounced Words

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

The Words of the Week - Oct. 23

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

The Longest Long Words List

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
artwork of illustrated limes with the text limes and smile with an arrow connecting the two words
Quiz: Spot the Anagram! Scramble these words to find new words with the e...
See All