phosphor

noun

phos·​phor ˈfäs-fər 

-ˌfȯr

variants or less commonly phosphore

ˈfäs-ˌfȯr 

-fər

1

: a phosphorescent substance

2

: a luminescent substance that emits light when excited by radiation (such as electrons) and is used especially in fluorescent lamps and cathode-ray tubes

Examples of phosphor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Scientists began describing minerals that glowed in the dark as phosphors in the Middle Ages. — ArsTechnica, 25 Aug. 2026

The element plays an important role in superconductors, advanced alloys, ceramics, phosphors, and other high-performance technologies. — Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 24 July 2026

In addition, the Generation 3 system relied on light intensification and used a green phosphor display that offered relatively poor contrast. — David Szondy may 17, New Atlas, 17 May 2026

Similarly, their laser-phosphor light engine can't show laser speckle, which can be an issue for tri-color laser sources. — M. David Stone, PC Magazine, 17 May 2026

Word History

Etymology

Latin phosphorus, from Greek phōsphoros, literally, light bringer, from phōsphoros light-bearing, from phōs light + pherein to carry, bring — more at fancy, bear

First Known Use

1706, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing phosphor

• phosphor bronze

Rhymes for phosphor

• abhor
• abor
• adore
• afore
• ardour
• ashore
• backdoor
• before
• bookstore
• candour
• centaur
• claymore

Kids Definition

phosphor

noun

phos·​phor ˈfäs-fər 

-ˌfȯ(ə)r

: a substance exhibiting phosphorescence

Medical Definition

phosphor

noun

phos·​phor ˈfäs-fər, -ˌfȯ(ə)r 

variants also phosphore

-ˌfō(ə)r, -ˌfȯ(ə)r, -fər 

: a phosphorescent substance

specifically : a substance that emits light when excited by radiation