hologram

American  

[hol-uh-gram, hoh-luh-] / ˈhɒl əˌgræm, ˈhoʊ lə- /

noun

Optics.

• holograms
  plural

1. a negative produced by exposing a high-resolution photographic plate, without camera or lens, near a subject illuminated by monochromatic, coherent radiation, as from a laser: when it is placed in a beam of coherent light a true three-dimensional image of the subject is formed.

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hologram British  

/ ˈhɒləˌɡræm /

noun

1. a photographic record produced by illuminating the object with coherent light (as from a laser) and, without using lenses, exposing a film to light reflected from this object and to a direct beam of coherent light. When interference patterns on the film are illuminated by the coherent light a three-dimensional image is produced

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hologram Scientific  

/ hŏl′ə-grăm′,hō′lə- /

1. A three-dimensional image of an object made by holography.

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Closer Look

To produce a simple hologram, a beam of coherent, monochromatic light, such as that produced by a laser, is split into two beams. One part, the object or illumination beam, is directed onto the object and reflected onto a high-resolution photographic plate. The other part, the reference beam, is beamed directly onto the photographic plate. The interference pattern of the two light beams is recorded on the plate. When the developed hologram is illuminated from behind (in the same direction as the original reference beam) by a beam of coherent light, it projects a three-dimensional image of the original object in space, shifting in perspective when viewed from different angles. Appropriately enough, the word hologram comes from the Greek words holos, “whole,” and gramma, “message.” If a hologram is cut into pieces, each piece projects the entire image, but as if viewed from a smaller subset of angles. The large amount of information contained in holograms makes them harder to forge than two-dimensional images. Many credit cards, CDs, sports memorabilia, and other items include holographic stickers as indicators of authenticity. Holography is used in many fields, including medicine, data storage, architecture, engineering, and the arts.

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• holograms
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of hologram

First recorded in 1945–50; holo- + -gram ¹

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Explanation

If you've ever looked through a View-Master, you've seen a hologram — an image or photograph that appears to be three-dimensional. Holograms sometimes appear on credit cards, passports, and driver's licenses as security against forgery, and they are also occasionally used in art. The process of creating a hologram is complicated and scientific, usually involving a special kind of laser. The word hologram was invented by Dennis Gabor, the scientist who developed holography in 1949, by combining the Greek holos, "whole," and gramme, "line."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

hologram holograms

Sir Ian McKellen is set to star in the European premier of a play in which he appears as a hologram.

From BBC ● Oct. 14, 2026

One of the last things Hal Jordan’s hologram tells John before he blinks out, possibly forever, will define Pierre’s hero moving forward, along with this series, should it earn a second season.

From Salon ● Oct. 5, 2026

Using a 3-D-printed model of his father’s head, a TV screen and an angled mirror, he created what looked like a hologram of his father.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 12, 2026

It’s not that it feels inaccurate or, with the exception of Anyma’s livestream-conjured hologram, dishonest to the IRL experience.

From Los Angeles Times ● Apr. 26, 2026

I used colored pencils and copied the picture off a cheap hologram bookmark.

From "Landscape with Invisible Hand" by M.T. Anderson

But if the building appears to predict a series of high-tech galleries, tricked out with holograms, audio spotlights or mixed reality rooms, the Lucas museum is surprisingly old-school.

From Los Angeles Times ● Sep. 2, 2026

As they reach old age, the business of burial is poised for an influx of money and new ideas, including biodegradable coffins and holograms of the deceased to display as digital memorials.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Feb. 3, 2026

Along with AI-generated holograms and sci-fi animation, the heart of the neon-lit venue features a giant cylindrical computer -- presented as the digital mainframe powering the restaurant's lights and smoke shows.

From Barron's ● Nov. 30, 2025

Instead, patient holograms would be sent to them and the surgeon would operate using "spacial gloves".

From BBC ● Dec. 31, 2024

“Because this game stinks. Mr. Lemoncello just sent a bunch of holograms hurling hieroglyphics after me. He could put somebody’s eye out with those things.”

From "Escape from Mr. Lemoncello's Library" by Chris Grabenstein

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