light pollution

American  

noun

1. unwanted or harmful light, as from bright street lights or neon signs.

2. Astronomy. artificial illumination of the sky that sets a limit on the faintness of stars that can be observed or photographed.

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light pollution British  

noun

1. the glow from street and domestic lighting that obscures the night sky and hinders the observation of faint stars

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Etymology

Origin of light pollution

First recorded in 1970–75

Example Sentences

Highland Council has proposed a dark skies draft planning policy to reduce the effects of light pollution from new developments across its region.

From BBC • May 28, 2026

According to the Royal Museums Grenwich the Lyrid meteor shower reaches maximum on 22 April and being two days before the First Quarter Moon, the Moon won't cause too much light pollution.

From BBC • Apr. 21, 2026

"Artificial light is a major consumer of electricity at night, and light pollution harms ecosystems," says Christopher Kyba.

From Science Daily • Apr. 9, 2026

A buildout of the claims could end public access to the area and permanently scar the landscape, drawing traffic and light pollution and harming springs and groundwater stores, he said.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

He pointed up at the sky and said, “So the light pollution is terrible, but the brightest star you see—there, see it?”

From "Turtles All the Way Down" by John Green