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

In contrast, some industrialized nations saw declines in light emissions, often linked to the adoption of LED technology and policies aimed at reducing light pollution.

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

When asked if the darkness could have played a part in Nancy Guthrie's disappearance, several local people disputed that theory, defending Tucson's rules against light pollution.

From BBC • Feb. 7, 2026

The plans sparked alarm in the astronomical community over fears that light pollution from the project would interfere with the nearby Paranal Observatory's current and future telescopes.

From Barron's • Feb. 2, 2026

Usually, she wasn’t able to see them so clearly, because of all the city smog and light pollution.

From "Aru Shah and the End of Time" by Roshani Chokshi