light pollution

American

noun

unwanted or harmful light, as from bright street lights or neon signs.
Astronomy. artificial illumination of the sky that sets a limit on the faintness of stars that can be observed or photographed.

light pollution British

noun

the glow from street and domestic lighting that obscures the night sky and hinders the observation of faint stars

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of light pollution

First recorded in 1970–75

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.

Robertson says light pollution is increasing, which affects human circadian rhythms, and the lives of other species.

From BBC

But there has to be no light pollution, which can be challenging in towns and cities across the UK.

From BBC

When it's cloudy, light pollution reflecting off the ground can make the clouds glow and look a lot like an aurora.

From BBC

Scotland has internationally recognised dark sky sites, which are largely protected from light pollution and recommended for stargazing.

From BBC

When asked if the darkness could have played a part in Nancy Guthrie's disappearance, several local people disputed that theory, defending Tucson's rules against light pollution.

From BBC

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023