¹halo

noun ha·lo \ˈhā-(ˌ)lō\

: a circle of light that is shown in a religious painting, drawing, etc., around the head of a holy figure (such as an angel, saint, or god)

: a bright circle seen around the sun or the moon

plural halos or haloes

Full Definition of HALO

: a circle of light appearing to surround the sun or moon and resulting from refraction or reflection of light by ice particles in the atmosphere

: something resembling a halo: as

a : nimbus

b : a region of space surrounding a galaxy that is sparsely populated with luminous objects (as globular clusters) but is believed to contain a great deal of dark matter

c : a differentiated zone surrounding a central zone or object

d : an orthopedic device used to immobilize the head and neck (as to treat fracture of neck vertebrae) that consists of a metal band placed around the head and fastened to the skull usually with metal pins and that is attached by extensions to an inflexible vest —called also halo brace

: the aura of glory, veneration, or sentiment surrounding an idealized person or thing

See halo defined for English-language learners

See halo defined for kids

Origin of HALO

Latin halos, from Greek halōs threshing floor, disk, halo

First Known Use: 1603

Related to HALO

Synonyms: air, ambience (or ambiance), aroma, atmosphere, climate, flavor, aura, karma, mood, nimbus, note, odor, patina, smell, temper, vibration(s)

Other Astronomy Terms

gibbous, nadir, nebulous, penumbra, retrograde, sidereal, syzygy, wane, wax, zenith

²halo

verb

Definition of HALO

transitive verb

: to form into or surround with a halo <rainbows haloed the waterfalls — Michael Crawford>

First Known Use of HALO

1801

HALO Defined for Kids

halo

noun ha·lo \ˈhā-lō\

plural halos or haloes

Definition of HALO for Kids

: a bright circle around the head of a person (as in a painting) that signifies holiness

: a circle of light around the sun or moon caused by tiny ice crystals in the air

Medical Dictionary

halo

noun ha·lo \ˈhā-(ˌ)lō\

plural halos or haloes

Medical Definition of HALO

: a circle of light appearing to surround a luminous body; especially : one seen as the result of the presence of glaucoma

: a differentiated zone surrounding a central object <the halo around a boil>

: the aura of glory, veneration, or sentiment surrounding an idealized person or thing

: an orthopedic device used to immobilize the head and neck (as to treat fracture of neck vertebrae) that consists of a metal band placed around the head and fastened to the skull usually with metal pins and that is attached by extensions to an inflexible vest—called also halo brace