color temperature

American  

noun

Optics, Photography.

1. a temperature defined in terms of the temperature of a black body at which it emits light of a specified spectral distribution: used to specify the color of a light source.

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Etymology

Origin of color temperature

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

color temperature

But many LED bulbs are installed with a much higher color temperature, near 4,000 Kelvins, which our brains interpret as harsh and bright, regardless of how many lumens they’re actually emitting.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 8, 2026

But if they’re replacing entire lamps, they could also tweak the color temperature to match the warmer feel that residents are pushing for.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 8, 2026

While LEDs with a color temperature of 2,700 Kelvin are similar to incandescent light bulbs, Berman noted, in the kitchen “we’ll bump it up to 3,000 Kelvin, which is a little brighter and whiter.”

From Seattle Times ● Jan. 8, 2024

“For best fall color, temperature and the amount of moisture are the main influences coupled with the duration and angle of sunlight,” Kyle Cotner, creator of theFoliageReport.com, wrote in an email.

From Washington Post ● Oct. 7, 2022

This feature automatically adjusts the color temperature of your lights based on the time of day.

From The Verge ● Sep. 9, 2022