light-year

noun

\ ˈlīt-ˌyir

How to pronounce light-year (audio)

\

Definition of light-year

1 : a unit of length in astronomy equal to the distance that light travels in one year in a vacuum or about 5.88 trillion miles (9.46 trillion kilometers)

2 : an extremely large measure of comparison (as of distance, time, or quality) seems like light-years ago has light-years more talent two minutes and yet light-years away from the crowded village— Suzanne Patterson

Keep scrolling for more

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for light-year

light-year

noun

English Language Learners Definition of light-year

technical : a unit of distance equal to the distance that light travels in one year (about 5.88 trillion miles or 9.46 trillion kilometers)

—used to say that someone or something is much better or more advanced than others

—used to refer to a time that is or seems very far away

See the full definition for light-year in the English Language Learners Dictionary

light-year

noun

\ ˈlīt-ˌyir\

Kids Definition of light-year

: a unit of length in astronomy equal to the distance that light travels in one year or about 5.88 trillion miles (9.46 trillion kilometers)

Keep scrolling for more

Comments on light-year

What made you want to look up light-year? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

WORD OF THE DAY

inexorable

not to be persuaded, moved, or stopped

Test Your Vocabulary

Words from Greek and Latin Quiz

Which of the following months comes from a Latin word for “ten”?

Test your knowledge - and maybe learn something along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Word Winder's CrossWinder

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ