photography

noun

pho·​tog·​ra·​phy fə-ˈtä-grə-fē 

: the art or process of producing images by the action of radiant energy and especially light on a sensitive surface (such as film or an optical sensor)

Examples of photography in a Sentence

He studied both film and still photography.

Landscape photography is her hobby.

Recent Examples on the Web

Bill Walsh, the 49ers coach who died in 2007, called it Camelot, and exclusive footage and interviews over the years combined with the black-and-white photography of Michael Zagaris brought it all back to those fortunate enough to witness it. —Jerry McDonald, Mercury News, 7 Feb. 2026

Fifteen prolific years of studio photography ended in 1963, after Keïta was hired as Mali’s state photographer, forcing him to close the studio. —Zoë Hopkins, New Yorker, 7 Feb. 2026

While anticipated, the cutbacks were deeper than expected, resulting in the shutdown of the Post’s renowned sports section, the elimination of its photography staff and sharp reductions in personnel responsible for coverage of metropolitan Washington and overseas. —David Bauder, Los Angeles Times, 7 Feb. 2026

Spots like Fujifilm Square also feature rotating photography exhibitions, from fine art to documentary work—no ticket required. —Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 6 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1839, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing photography

• director of photography
• Kirlian photography
• trick photography

Rhymes for photography

• arthrography
• biography
• cartography
• cosmography
• cryptography
• demography
• discography
• echography
• ethnography
• filmography
• geography
• hydrography

Kids Definition

photography

noun

pho·​tog·​ra·​phy fə-ˈtäg-rə-fē 

: the art or process of making pictures by means of a camera that directs the image of an object onto a surface (as film) that is sensitive to light