photography

noun

pho·​tog·​ra·​phy fə-ˈtä-grə-fē 

: the art or process of producing images by the action of radiant energy and especially light on a sensitive surface (such as film or an optical sensor)

Examples of photography in a Sentence

He studied both film and still photography.

Landscape photography is her hobby.

Recent Examples on the Web

Known for era-defining portraits of figures from John Lennon to Barack Obama, Fairey reveals how photography underpins his graphic language across screen print, collage and new commissions created for the show. —Melinda Sheckells, HollywoodReporter, 14 Feb. 2026

Their Bessette is a creature of photography. —Doreen St. Félix, New Yorker, 14 Feb. 2026

Widespread concern that school photography company Lifetouch appears in the Department of Justice's files on Jeffrey Epstein have sparked viral social media posts and school districts around the country responding to upset parents. —Melina Khan, USA Today, 13 Feb. 2026

An art photography collector, Lim has spearheaded projects with industry figures such as Juergen Teller, Wolfgang Tillmans, Ryan Trecartin, Ren Hang and Yang Fudong. —Denni Hu, Footwear News, 11 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1839, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing photography

• director of photography
• Kirlian photography
• trick photography

Rhymes for photography

• arthrography
• biography
• cartography
• cosmography
• cryptography
• demography
• discography
• echography
• ethnography
• filmography
• geography
• hydrography

Kids Definition

photography

noun

pho·​tog·​ra·​phy fə-ˈtäg-rə-fē 

: the art or process of making pictures by means of a camera that directs the image of an object onto a surface (as film) that is sensitive to light