speed light

American  

[speed lahyt] / ˈspid ˌlaɪt /

Or speedlight

noun

Photography.

1. another term for electronic flash.

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Etymology

Origin of speed light

First recorded in 1895–1900, for an earlier sense

Example Sentences

Just as vehicles cannot navigate sudden right angle turns at speed, light does not travel efficiently through sharp bends.

From Science Daily • Feb. 24, 2026

This is supposed to whisk us through the grocery line at the speed light.

From Los Angeles Times • Dec. 27, 2023

Here’s the fun part: they actually travel faster than the speed light can move through the ice.

From Scientific American • Dec. 20, 2022

If only McEwan could strap on those antigravity boots and travel at 10 times the speed light back into the past.

From Slate • Apr. 29, 2019

These can range from aging film, film speed, light, the developing process and, most obviously, the limited number of exposures.

From Washington Times • Jul. 16, 2017