photography
Americannoun
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photographies
plural
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the process or art of producing images of objects on sensitized surfaces by the chemical action of light or of other forms of radiant energy, as x-rays, gamma rays, or cosmic rays.
noun
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the process of recording images on sensitized material by the action of light, X-rays, etc, and the chemical processing of this material to produce a print, slide, or cine film
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the art, practice, or occupation of taking and printing photographs, making cine films, etc
Other Word Forms
Derived Forms
Inflected Forms
Nouns
Etymology
Origin of photography
Explanation
Photography is the art or process of taking pictures using a camera. If you're very interested in photography, you might want to learn how to develop your own film in a darkroom. You should also practice yelling "Say cheese!" The word photography combines Greek roots phōtos, "light," and graphé, "represent by drawing lines" — so photography is essentially "drawing with light." Since it was invented in the 19th century, the art of capturing images using light has expanded far beyond what the original photographers could have imagined. Today many of us practice photography using our phones. Other advances through the years have included color film, instant photographs, and digital photography, among many others.
Vocabulary lists containing photography
Journalism
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Florida's B.E.S.T. Roots: photo
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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.
As for arts, directors steal the spotlight: the Lucas Museum of Narrative Art opens with 20 inaugural exhibitions and a collection of David Lynch’s L.A. photography fills a local gallery.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 31, 2026
The global conflict gave us high-altitude flight, jet engines, rockets, radar and improved aerial photography.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 28, 2026
The singer noted to the outlet that he has dedicated himself to preserving the work of Black artists, filling his home with various displays, from photography to sculpture.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 18, 2026
In an age before digital photography, troops were often eager to get their picture snapped whenever they saw him.
From BBC ● Aug. 18, 2026
Next to motion study and astronomy, photography was the science nearest to Dad’s heart.
From "Cheaper by the Dozen" by Frank B. Gilbreth Jr. and Ernestine Gilbreth Carey
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.
