lighting

American  

[lahy-ting] / ˈlaɪ tɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of igniting or illuminating.

   the lighting of many candles; the annual lighting of the Christmas tree.

2. the arrangement of lights to achieve particular effects.

   to work out the lighting for one's living room.

3. an effect achieved by the arrangement of lights.

   Several critics praised the lighting of the play.

4. the science, theory, or method of achieving particular effects by the use of lights.

5. the way light falls upon a face, object, etc., especially in a picture.

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lighting British  

/ ˈlaɪtɪŋ /

noun

1. the act or quality of illumination or ignition

2. the apparatus for supplying artificial light effects to a stage, film, or television set

3. the distribution of light on an object or figure, as in painting, photography, etc

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Other Word Forms

• self-lighting
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of lighting

First recorded before 1000; Middle English lightinge, Old English līhting; equivalent to light ¹ + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Sander does not romanticize, valorize or flatter them: The even lighting comes from an overcast sky; they are dressed in dark suits and hats, one smokes a cigarette, and each sports a cane.

From The Wall Street Journal • May 16, 2026

The audience was transported to the set of a classic detective film, with colorful vintage cars placed amidst the museum's stark concrete curves and moody lighting.

From Barron's • May 14, 2026

Alex said her studio's dim lighting aimed to take focus away from appearance and, in her mum and baby classes, losing weight was not the main goal.

From BBC • May 13, 2026

There’s another crisis happening at the other end of the lighting spectrum.

From Los Angeles Times • May 8, 2026

A thin strip of Pleiades purple strip lighting in the shape of a door, just like the one at the back of the ship leading to the hold.

From "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera