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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

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

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

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

From Los Angeles Times May 8, 2026

It’s also important to know the color temperature of the various lights you plan to use.

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

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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