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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.


Etymology

Origin of color temperature

First recorded in 1915–20

Example Sentences

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See Examples For:

Sangalang said color temperature cannot be tweaked since the individual light-emitting diodes in the lamps are manufactured to a specific color temperature and can’t be changed once they’re made.

From Los Angeles Times May 8, 2026

“Put lights on dimmer switches and update color temperature of light bulbs to create mood and ambience,” she says.

From Seattle Times Jun. 9, 2023

“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

The tone is measured by the color temperature of a lamp.

From Los Angeles Times Sep. 20, 2022

In terms of features, the popular e-reader offers months-long battery life, support for adjustable color temperature, and USB-C charging, which allows you to fast charge the device when it does run out of juice.

From The Verge Aug. 16, 2022

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