photoelectricity

[ foh-toh-i-lek-tris-i-tee, -ee-lek- ]

noun

, Physics.

1. electricity induced by electromagnetic radiation, as in certain processes, as the photoelectric and photovoltaic effects, photoconductivity, and photoionization.
2. the branch of physics that deals with these phenomena.

Word History and Origins

Origin of photoelectricity¹

First recorded in 1875–80; photo- + electricity