light pollution

noun

: artificial skylight (as from city lights) that interferes especially with astronomical observations

Examples of light pollution in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
While Charlestown doesn’t have an official International Dark Sky designation, local lighting ordinances and regulations help keep light pollution low, making the night sky here among the clearest on the East Coast. Lauren Dana Ellman, Travel + Leisure, 12 Sep. 2025 The Bortle scale is a numerical scale that ranges from one to nine, with one being an excellent dark sky site with no light pollution and nine being an area with considerable light pollution and many night sky objects invisible to the naked eye. Harry Bennett, Space.com, 11 Sep. 2025 How To See The Chi Cygnids Meteor Shower The best way to see any meteor shower is to go stargazing for a few hours, preferably on a dark, moonless night sky away from light pollution (consult a light pollution map or travel to a Dark Sky Place). Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025 Sedona is an International Dark Sky Community where regulations govern nighttime light pollution and trailhead parking lots double as unofficial stargazing centers. New York Times, 10 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for light pollution

Word History

First Known Use

1969, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of light pollution was in 1969

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Cite this Entry

“Light pollution.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/light%20pollution. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.

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