lithography
Americannoun
-
the art or process of producing a picture, writing, or the like, on a flat, specially prepared stone, with some greasy or oily substance, and of taking ink impressions from this as in ordinary printing.
-
a similar process in which a substance other than stone, as aluminum or zinc, is used.
noun
Other Word Forms
Etymology
Origin of lithography
From the New Latin word lithographia, dating back to 1700–10. See litho-, -graphy
Explanation
Lithography is a printmaking technique that's commonly used when text is being printed. Some artists also use lithography to print images. Unlike other forms of printmaking that involve carving a plate or block that's then coated with ink, in lithography the metal or stone plate is coated with a waxy material. Text or images are carved out of this coating and spread with an oily ink that only adheres to the coated surface. Maps, prints, newspapers, and many other items (often with both images and text) are printed this way. Lithography combines the Greek lithos, "stone," and graphein, "to write."
Vocabulary lists containing lithography
Write On!: Graph and Gram
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
UCPS 6th Grade Roots List #13
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Me Talk Pretty One Day
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
If China can design its own lithography machines, it follows that they can produce cutting-edge chips themselves too.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 28, 2026
Separately, Bloomberg reported a Chinese company had started making immersion deep ultraviolet lithography machines.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 27, 2026
U.S.-listed shares of ASML, which makes both DUV and EUV lithography systems, are off more than 7% in midday action.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 27, 2026
Higher uptake of ASML’s most advanced lithography machines will allow the company to take a greater share of clients’ spending, while manufacturing efficiencies will increase profit margins, the analysts say.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 23, 2026
In November he decides to learn the art of lithography, Theo’s suggestion long ago, so that he can become an illustrator.
From "Vincent and Theo: The Van Gogh Brothers" by Deborah Heiligman
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
