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

The older sodium lights typically had a color temperature of around 1,900 Kelvins, which our brains interpret as warm and cozy, almost like a fire.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 8, 2026

Longcore says his ideal color temperature is 1,800 Kelvins.

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

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

From The Verge ● Sep. 9, 2022