1 phosphor | Definition of phosphor

phosphor

noun
phos·​phor | \ ˈfäs-fər How to pronounce phosphor (audio) , -ˌfȯr\
variants: or less commonly phosphore \ ˈfäs-​ˌfȯr How to pronounce phosphore (audio) , -​fər \

Definition of phosphor

1 : a phosphorescent substance
2 : a luminescent substance that emits light when excited by radiation (such as electrons) and is used especially in fluorescent lamps and cathode-ray tubes

Examples of phosphor in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

All these games were designed for standard-definition CRTs, where the inherent blur of scanlines and phosphors helped smooth out rough edges. Kyle Orland, Ars Technica, "PlayStation Classic review: A far-from-classic experience," 27 Nov. 2018 The Arcade filter leaves off the scanlines and instead adds a shadow mask effect, simulating the RGB phosphors of an arcade monitor. Aurich Lawson, Ars Technica, "Street Fighter 30th Anniversary Collection," 29 May 2018 The devices use an electromagnet to excite a phosphor coating, which creates visible light. Andy Rosen, BostonGlobe.com, "Traditional incandescent bulbs are going away. This company says it has a replacement," 14 Mar. 2018 On top of that purple LED is a collection of metals called a phosphor. Sophia Chen, WIRED, "Museums Are Using LEDs to Protect and Prettify Paintings," 10 Aug. 2015

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'phosphor.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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First Known Use of phosphor

1706, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for phosphor

Latin phosphorus, from Greek phōsphoros, literally, light bringer, from phōsphoros light-bearing, from phōs light + pherein to carry, bring — more at fancy, bear

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More Definitions for phosphor

phosphor

noun
phos·​phor | \ ˈfäs-fər, -ˌfȯ(ə)r How to pronounce phosphor (audio) \
variants: also phosphore \ -​ˌfō(ə)r, -​ˌfȯ(ə)r, -​fər How to pronounce phosphore (audio) \

Medical Definition of phosphor

: a phosphorescent substance specifically : a substance that emits light when excited by radiation

More from Merriam-Webster on phosphor

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with phosphor

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about phosphor