luminance

noun

lu·​mi·​nance ˈlü-mə-nən(t)s 

1

: the quality or state of being luminous

2

: the luminous intensity of a surface in a given direction per unit of projected area

Synonyms of luminance

• glare
• glow
• gleam
• glint
• gloss
• sheen
• shine
• illumination

Examples of luminance in a Sentence

the emerald had a pure, icy green luminance

the landscapes of the French painter Claude Lorraine have a unique luminance that no other artist has quite captured

Recent Examples on the Web

Most shots in the demonstration footage on the Spears & Munsil Ultra HD benchmark disc look very good on the Pro Series OLED, again thanks to its color accuracy and per-pixel luminance control. — Will Greenwald, PC Magazine, 28 Sep. 2026

Higher peak brightness greatly extends the display’s dynamic range, granting the subsequent AI image processing system greater luminance mapping adjustment latitude. — New Atlas, 31 Aug. 2026

Holes start finding their way through it and into the cyan layer, and the device begins emitting a mixture of red and cyan simultaneously, shifting the overall color and increasing the luminance. — Jacek Krywko, ArsTechnica, 31 July 2026

Shadow detail; Linearity; Low luminance saturation; skin tones & general accuracy; clarity and grain preservation; and motion handling. — John Archer, Forbes.com, 21 July 2026

Word History

Etymology

lumin(ous) + -ance

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for luminance

• illuminance

Medical Definition

luminance

noun

lu·​mi·​nance ˈlü-mə-nən(t)s 

1

: the quality or state of being luminous

2

: the luminous intensity of a surface in a given direction per unit of projected area