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

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

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

AFP saw multiple blazes burning on hillsides and along roads between Pai and Chiang Mai, lighting up patches of otherwise pitch-black countryside.

From Barron's • Apr. 3, 2026

Looking ahead, similar systems could be built into ceilings, lighting fixtures, or wireless access points, delivering fast, secure, and energy-efficient connections to many users simultaneously.

From Science Daily • Apr. 2, 2026

With a pop, the reserve lighting flickers on.

From "The Last Cuentista" by Donna Barba Higuera