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

Rauschenberg was presumably familiar with Siskind’s views on the inherently abstract nature of photography. —Hilton Als, New Yorker, 4 Apr. 2026

Using drones, underwater microphones and shipboard photography, the research team captured the delivery itself and the complex social response as adult females and juveniles worked together to help the newborn survive. —Samantha Agate, Miami Herald, 4 Apr. 2026

Shipboard observations and photography verified the identities of individual whales in the social unit. —Samantha Agate, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 4 Apr. 2026

West volunteers his photography skills at the church where the man is involved and shares his Costco membership. —Jennifer Ludden, NPR, 4 Apr. 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