photography
Americannoun
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the process or art of producing images of objects on sensitized surfaces by the chemical action of light or of other forms of radiant energy, as x-rays, gamma rays, or cosmic rays.
noun
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the process of recording images on sensitized material by the action of light, X-rays, etc, and the chemical processing of this material to produce a print, slide, or cine film
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the art, practice, or occupation of taking and printing photographs, making cine films, etc
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Etymology
Origin of photography
Explanation
Photography is the art or process of taking pictures using a camera. If you're very interested in photography, you might want to learn how to develop your own film in a darkroom. You should also practice yelling "Say cheese!" The word photography combines Greek roots phōtos, "light," and graphé, "represent by drawing lines" — so photography is essentially "drawing with light." Since it was invented in the 19th century, the art of capturing images using light has expanded far beyond what the original photographers could have imagined. Today many of us practice photography using our phones. Other advances through the years have included color film, instant photographs, and digital photography, among many others.
Vocabulary lists containing photography
Journalism
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Florida's B.E.S.T. Roots: photo
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
A more precise model of color perception could have wide value in fields that depend on accurate color, including photography, video, visualization, and related technologies.
From Science Daily • Jun. 7, 2026
A spokesperson said Shanice had "generously volunteered her time" while studying and had "captured special moments for us through her photography".
From BBC • May 29, 2026
Baker, who for years led American visitors across Cuba on motorcycle and photography tours, said most customers canceled recent tours despite his assurances they would have fuel, electricity, food, water and safety.
From The Wall Street Journal • May 27, 2026
"Film work has definitely been impacted by AI... it's really kicked us down," said Laura, 35, a director of photography in London, who preferred not to share her last name for professional reasons.
From Barron's • May 27, 2026
He tells me he's majoring in photography and that one of his professors told him to take as many photographs as he could over the summer.
From "Starfish" by Akemi Dawn Bowman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
