photonics
noun
pho·ton·ics
fō-ˈtä-niks 
plural in form but singular in construction
: a branch of physics that deals with the properties and applications of photons especially as a medium for transmitting information
Examples of photonics in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Integrating such a messy light source into a silicon photonics chip required careful engineering.
—
Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2025
Thanks to the funding, the program was able to build a photonics lab at Stonehill so that students can work with machinery used by technicians, such as a femtosecond laser, according to the program’s website.
—IEEE Spectrum, 7 Dec. 2020
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Aamir Khollam, Interesting Engineering, 10 Oct. 2025
Thanks to the funding, the program was able to build a photonics lab at Stonehill so that students can work with machinery used by technicians, such as a femtosecond laser, according to the program’s website.
—IEEE Spectrum, 7 Dec. 2020
Cite this Entry
“Photonics.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/photonics. Accessed 7 Dec. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share