1
a
: a distinctive atmosphere surrounding a given source
The place had an aura of mystery.
b
: a subtle sensory stimulus (such as an aroma)
2
medical
: a subjective (see subjective entry 1 sense 4b) sensation (as of voices, colored lights, or crawling and numbness) experienced at the onset of a neurological condition and especially a migraine or epileptic seizure
3
: an energy field that is held to emanate from a living being
4
: a luminous radiation : nimbus
Synonyms
Examples of aura in a Sentence
the monastery perched high on a mountaintop had an aura of unreality and mystery about it
alternative medical treatments that rely on the practitioner's ability to detect a patient's aura
Recent Examples on the Web
The result is a fragrance that evokes memories of childhood indulgence and whimsical delights, enveloping the wearer in a comforting and alluring aura.
—
Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 3 May 2024
The Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho’s operas have a pervasive aura of waiting for something just out of sight, shrouded in veil upon veil.
—Matthew Aucoin, The New York Review of Books, 2 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for aura 
Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 3 May 2024
The Finnish composer Kaija Saariaho’s operas have a pervasive aura of waiting for something just out of sight, shrouded in veil upon veil.
—Matthew Aucoin, The New York Review of Books, 2 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for aura
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'aura.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near aura
Cite this Entry
“Aura.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aura. Accessed 7 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
aura
noun
au·ra
ˈȯr-ə 
: a special quality or impression associated with something
an aura of holiness
Medical Definition
aura
noun
au·ra
ˈȯr-ə
plural auras also aurae
-ē
: a subjective sensation (as of voices or colored lights or crawling and numbness) experienced at the onset of a neurological condition and especially a migraine or epileptic seizure
About 20 percent of migraine sufferers experience an aura as the first symptom of an attack. The aura may be a pulsing star of light, or a dance of geometric forms across the visual field, sometimes turning into hallucinations …—Natalie Angier, The New York Times
Natalie Angier, The New York TimesThe migraine aura, which consists of episodes of well-defined, transient, focal neurologic dysfunction, develops over the course of more than 4 minutes and usually lasts no more than 60 minutes.—Sid Gilman, The New England Journal of Medicine
Sid Gilman, The New England Journal of MedicineThe aura is due to electrical activity originating from the seizure focus and thus represents the earliest manifestations of a partial seizure.—Gary L. Westbrook, in Principles of Neural Science, 4th edition
Gary L. Westbrook, in Principles of Neural Science, 4th editionLove words? Need even more definitions?
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