Meanings
plural insolations
- uncountableusuallyThe incident radiant energy emitted by the sun which reaches a unit area over a period of time, typically measured over a horizontal area at the Earth's surface or at the top of Earth's atmosphere.
The difference in insolation between north-facing and south-facing slopes can affect microclimates as much as hundreds of miles of north-south distance on level ground.
- dateduncountableusuallymedicinesunstroke.
Synonyms & antonyms
nounThe act or process of exposing to the rays of the sun, such as for the purpose of medical treatment, drying or maturing, as fruits, drugs, etc., or of rendering acid, as vinegar.
More synonyms by meaning
nounsudden prostration due to exposure to the sun or excessive heat
Synonym sets from Open English WordNet, CC BY 4.0.
Origin
- Latininsolatio“a setting or placing in the sun”
- Frenchinsolation
- Englishinsolation
Borrowed from French insolation, from Latin insolatio (“a setting or placing in the sun”).
Full word history & related roots →Translations
Finnish insolaatio, auringonsäteily
- insolaatiosun's radiant energy per unit area
- auringonsäteilysun's radiant energy per unit area
- insolaatiorate of delivery
- auringonsäteilyn voimakkuusrate of delivery
- aurinkohoitoexposure to the rays of the sun
- aurinkokylpyexposure to the rays of the sun
- aurinkokuivausexposure to the rays of the sun
- aurinkokypsytysexposure to the rays of the sun
Greek ηλιασμός
- ηλιασμός (iliasmós)exposure to the rays of the sun
Irish grianrú
- grianrúexposure to the rays of the sun
Māori hihirā, hihi kōmaru
- hihirāsun's radiant energy per unit area
- hihi kōmarusun's radiant energy per unit area
Polish nasłonecznienie, insolacja
- nasłonecznieniesun's radiant energy per unit area
- insolacjasun's radiant energy per unit area
Spanish insolación, insolación
- insolaciónsun's radiant energy per unit area
- insolaciónexposure to the rays of the sun
Rhymes & wordplay
Rhymes with insolation
Cite this entry
insolation. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 2, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/insolation
“insolation.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/insolation. Accessed November 2, 2026.
WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “insolation,” accessed November 2, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/insolation.
Source: insolation on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.