corona

noun

co·​ro·​na kə-ˈrō-nə 

plural coronas

1

: the projecting part of a classic cornice

2

: something suggesting a crown: such as

a plural coronae kə-ˈrō-(ˌ)nē  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

• a corona 2c

Examples of corona in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Some of these flares can be accompanied by coronal mass ejections that emerge from the sun's outermost atmosphere, the corona. —Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 10 Oct. 2024

Ultraviolet light images of the sun’s outer, hotter atmosphere, the corona. —Jamie Carter, Forbes, 27 Nov. 2024

Perhaps most notable is NASA’s Parker Solar Probe, which in 2021 became the first spacecraft to fly through the corona. —Byhannah Richter, science.org, 31 Oct. 2024

Measuring the much dimmer coronal magnetic field has been more difficult, limiting a deeper understanding of the three-dimensional structure and evolution of the magnetic field of the corona. —Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 3 Oct. 2024

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

Phrases Containing corona

• corona radiata

Kids Definition

corona

noun

co·​ro·​na kə-ˈrō-nə 

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 

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 

city in southern California east of Los Angeles population 152,374