photocell

American  

[foh-toh-sel] / ˈfoʊ toʊˌsɛl /

noun

Electronics.

1. a solid-state device that converts light into electrical energy by producing a voltage, as in a photovoltaic cell, or uses light to regulate the flow of current, as in a photoconductive cell: used in automatic control systems for doors, lighting, etc.

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photocell British  

/ ˈfəʊtəʊˌsɛl /

noun

1. Also called: photoelectric cell.   electric eye.  a device in which the photoelectric or photovoltaic effect or photoconductivity is used to produce a current or voltage when exposed to light or other electromagnetic radiation. They are used in exposure meters, burglar alarms, etc

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photocell Scientific  

/ fō′tō-sĕl′ /

1. See photoresistor

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Etymology

Origin of photocell

First recorded in 1890–95; photo- + cell

Example Sentences

The plume so intensely darkened the sky that street and residential lights with photocells designed to turn on at dusk were illuminated — human technology tricked by the inferno.

From Los Angeles Times

You can set the lights to come on and go off at any time you choose or use the photocell and have them on at dusk and off at dawn.

From Seattle Times

The miles of relays and photocells had given way to the spongy globe of plantinumiridium about the size of a human brain.

From Literature

The young Arthur received cast-off equipment, such as telephones, switch-gear and a photocell from his relative George Grimstone, an engineer who taught him to build wireless crystal sets.

From Nature

Today we combine a laser and a photocell, or a radar transmitter and a radio telescope, and in this way make active contact by light with distant objects.

From Literature