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

See Examples For:

photocell

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 ● Jan. 17, 2017

"We looked at changing the timers but most of our street lights don't have timers they operate on a photocell, so if you upgrade the switch gear it's actually quite expensive."

From BBC ● Jul. 15, 2011

A huge chameleon will turn the color of the clothes of the person who may stand before the photocell which constitutes its "eye."

From Time Magazine Archive

When the mirror's field of view crosses one of the 50 stars, a photocell reports the star's position to a computer.

From Time Magazine Archive

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 "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan