corona

noun

co·​ro·​na kə-ˈrō-nə How to pronounce corona (audio)
plural coronas
1
: the projecting part of a classic cornice
2
: something suggesting a crown: such as
a plural coronae kə-ˈrō-(ˌ)nē How to pronounce corona (audio) also coronas
(1)
: a usually colored circle often seen around and close to a luminous body (such as the sun or moon) caused by diffraction produced by suspended droplets or occasionally particles of dust
(2)
: the tenuous outermost part of the atmosphere of a star (such as the sun)
(3)
: a circle of light made by the apparent convergence of the streamers of the aurora borealis
b
: the upper portion of a bodily part (such as a tooth or the skull)
c
: an appendage or series of united appendages on the inner side of the corolla in some flowers (such as the daffodil, jonquil, or milkweed)
d
: a faint glow adjacent to the surface of an electrical conductor at high voltage
e
informal : coronavirus
In the fight against the consequences of the corona epidemic, the Italian government is resorting to radical measures.Anne Kunz et al.
3
[from La Corona, a trademark] : a long cigar having the sides straight to the end to be lit and being roundly blunt at the other end

Illustration of corona

Illustration of corona
  • a corona 2c

Examples of corona 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.
Prominences typically take about a day to form, and those that remain stable can endure in the corona for several months, arching hundreds of thousands of miles into space. Joe Edwards, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 May 2025 The biggest shock to anyone standing within that path and having clear weather — which certainly wasn’t everyone on April 8, 2024 — was the sight of the sun's corona, its wispy white outer atmosphere. Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 8 Apr. 2025 The white halo was the sun's corona, and the dark circle was the moon's silhouette. Monisha Ravisetti, Space.com, 12 Mar. 2025 It's hoped that by doing so, scientists will better be able to figure out how the sun’s corona becomes the solar wind and so more accurately predict space weather. Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 20 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for corona

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Latin corōna "garland worn on the head as a mark of honor or emblem of majesty, halo around a celestial body, top part of an entablature" — more at crown entry 1

First Known Use

1563, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of corona was in 1563

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Corona.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/corona. Accessed 20 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

corona

noun
co·​ro·​na kə-ˈrō-nə How to pronounce corona (audio)
1
: a usually colored circle often seen around and close to a shining body (as the sun or moon)
2
: the outermost part of the atmosphere of a star (as the sun)
3
: a faint glow next to the surface of an electrical conductor at high voltage
coronal
ˈkȯr-ən-ᵊl
ˈkär-;
kə-ˈrōn-
adjective

Medical Definition

corona

noun
co·​ro·​na kə-ˈrō-nə How to pronounce corona (audio)
1
: the upper portion of a bodily part (as a tooth or the skull)
2
informal : coronavirus

Geographical Definition

Corona

geographical name

Co·​ro·​na kə-ˈrō-nə How to pronounce Corona (audio)
city in southern California east of Los Angeles population 152,374

More from Merriam-Webster on corona

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