luminosity

noun

lu·​mi·​nos·​i·​ty ˌlü-mə-ˈnä-sə-tē How to pronounce luminosity (audio)
plural luminosities
1
a
: the quality or state of being luminous
b
: something luminous
2
a
: the relative quantity of light
b
: relative brightness of something
3
: the relative quantity of radiation emitted by a celestial source (such as a star)

Examples of luminosity in a Sentence

the luminosity of the fireflies made for an enchanting nighttime show
Recent Examples on the Web The logic seemed reasonable: if the cause of an explosion is always the same, then so should be the effect—the explosion's absolute luminosity. Richard Panek, Scientific American, 14 Nov. 2023 A little basic astronomical forensics revealed that what Carter saw on that date and at that spot in the sky was Venus—whose extreme luminosity has fooled no shortage of UFO believers before. Jeffrey Kluger, Time, 27 July 2023 If our pursuit of an impossible luminosity leads to better skincare routines, more innovative products, and swipes of highlighter that leave faces drenched in shimmer, then who knows? Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 24 Oct. 2023 For its part, Hyper Shine Lite Pigment imparts a beautiful luminosity that doesn't look glittery. Dianna Mazzone, Allure, 10 Oct. 2023 To accompany her oversized, three-piece pinstriped suiting—replete with a crisp, buttoned-to-the-top white shirt—Anderson opted to let her natural skin shine, visible freckles, naturally luminosity, and all. Calin Van Paris, Vogue, 27 Sep. 2023 While these ingredients focus on helping to fade hyperpigmentation and luminosity, essential oils like apricot and sweet orange (the latter is where the serum gets the delightful orange scent) help reduce irritation. Katie Intner, Harper's BAZAAR, 13 Apr. 2023 In any case, Domino’s excellence is in the relationship between two independent structures: the 12-to-15-foot-wide light well, open to the sky, that runs between them; the play of solidity and luminosity; and the way arched openings chop the panoramic views into dramatic vignettes. Curbed, 27 Sep. 2023 The graveyard of kitchen fads is wide and deep, littered with the domestic equivalent of white dwarf stars that blazed with astonishing luminosity for a moment and then deteriorated into space junk. Susan Orlean, The New Yorker, 12 July 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'luminosity.' 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

1634, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of luminosity was in 1634

Dictionary Entries Near luminosity

Cite this Entry

“Luminosity.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/luminosity. Accessed 7 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

luminosity

noun
lu·​mi·​nos·​i·​ty ˌlü-mə-ˈnäs-ət-ē How to pronounce luminosity (audio)
plural luminosities
1
: the quality or state of being luminous : brightness
2
: something luminous

Medical Definition

luminosity

noun
lu·​mi·​nos·​i·​ty ˌlü-mə-ˈnäs-ət-ē How to pronounce luminosity (audio)
plural luminosities
1
: the quality or state of being luminous
2
a
: the relative quantity of light
b
: the comparative degree to which light of a given wavelength induces the sensation of brightness when perceived

More from Merriam-Webster on luminosity

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