lighting

American  

[lahy-ting] / ˈlaɪ tɪŋ /

noun

1. the act of igniting or illuminating.

   the lighting of many candles; the annual lighting of the Christmas tree.

2. the arrangement of lights light lights to achieve particular effects.

   to work out the lighting for one's living room.

3. an effect achieved by the arrangement of lights: light: lights.

   Several critics praised the lighting of the play.

4. the science, theory, or method of achieving particular effects by the use of lights. light. lights.

5. the way light lights falls upon a face, object, etc., especially in a picture.

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lighting British  

/ ˈlaɪtɪŋ /

noun

1. the act or quality of illumination or ignition

2. the apparatus for supplying artificial light effects to a stage, film, or television set

3. the distribution of light on an object or figure, as in painting, photography, etc

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Other Word Forms

• self-lighting adjective

Etymology

Origin of lighting

First recorded before 1000; Middle English lightinge, Old English līhting; equivalent to light ¹ + -ing ¹

Example Sentences

Humans can understand how lighting changes surface details, like how angled lighting reveals texture but reduces visible color.

From Barron's • Apr. 5, 2026

Hundreds of Eko employees work to shoot products from every angle on movie-studio-style stages, shifting lighting or buffing out fingerprints on metal surfaces as needed.

From The Wall Street Journal • Apr. 4, 2026

A California-based startup called Reflect Orbital says that reflecting sunshine on places during times of darkness could charge up solar panels, grow crops and replace urban lighting.

From Salon • Apr. 4, 2026

“I source every single item,” Scott said, as he gave a tour of the elegant showroom filled with vintage furniture and modern accessories including glassware, pillows, lighting and small gifts.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 3, 2026

She passed the stick around and we all took turns lighting our own candles.

From "Summer of the Mariposas" by Guadalupe García McCall