southern lights

plural noun

: aurora australis

Examples of southern 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.
When the light display is in the southern hemisphere, it is referred to as the southern lights or aurora australis. — Bebe Hodges, Cincinnati Enquirer, 12 Nov. 2025 This also occurs in the Southern Hemisphere, where it is known as the aurora australis, or southern lights. — Shane Croucher, MSNBC Newsweek, 6 Nov. 2025 This means these worlds could also feature stunning and dramatic colorful auroras that put Earth's northern and southern lights in the shade. — Robert Lea, Space.com, 2 June 2026 The Southern Hemisphere has its own polar lights known as the southern lights, or aurora australis, which create a dazzling display of their own. — Mary Walrath-Holdridge, USA Today, 15 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for southern lights

Word History

First Known Use

1773, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of southern lights was in 1773

Rhymes for southern lights

See All Rhymes for southern lights

Browse Nearby Words

southern leopard frog
southern lights
southernly
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Cite this Entry

“Southern lights.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/southern%20lights. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

southern lights

plural noun
: aurora australis
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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