key light

noun

: the main light illuminating a photographic subject

Examples of key light in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Under the white tent, behind the cameras, bright key lights were stood up and turned on. Eric Lach, The New Yorker, 30 Mar. 2023 So no key light, no beauty light. Tomás Mier, EW.com, 3 Sep. 2020 Only to emerge from the darkness, the key light source, a red and orange practical festoon running from the tent. Jazz Tangcay, Variety, 24 Dec. 2022 For most setups, the fill light is not as bright as the key light. Stinson Carter, Wired, 14 July 2022 Broadway’s political fakery is disinfected by the key light of cinema and the rousing, cleansing energy of genuine pop music. Armond White, National Review, 24 Sep. 2021 The most straightforward option is a small key light. Jasmine Heyward, Wired, 18 Feb. 2021 One stand-out feature is a jam mode in which keys light up with the chords and scales of a song. James Vincent, The Verge, 18 June 2019

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'key light.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

circa 1937, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of key light was circa 1937

Dictionary Entries Near key light

Cite this Entry

“Key light.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/key%20light. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

More from Merriam-Webster on key light

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!