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

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

Pink appears to have been a favorite hue for Plaza, with the primary bathroom painted in a very pale rose, while the primary bathroom also features fun lighting fixtures in a similar color.

From MarketWatch • Apr. 2, 2026

Last week, the government ordered energy-saving measures for a one-month period, including early closing times for most commercial establishments as well as reductions in street lighting and allocations for government vehicles.

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 30, 2026

For as everyone was laughing at Sunny’s cry for cake, the important-looking man with all the warts on his face was sneaking toward the controls for the lighting of the theater.

From "The Bad Beginning" by Lemony Snicket