phosphor

¹

[ fos-fer, -fawr ]

noun

1. any of a number of substances that exhibit luminescence when struck by light of certain wavelengths, as by ultraviolet.
2. Literary. a phosphorescent substance.

adjective

1. Archaic. phosphorescent.

Phosphor

²

[ fos-fer, -fawr ]

noun

1. the morning star, especially Venus.

phosphor-

³

1. variant of phosphoro- before a vowel:

   phosphorate.

phosphor

/ ˈfɒsfə /

noun

1. a substance, such as the coating on a cathode-ray tube, capable of emitting light when irradiated with particles or electromagnetic radiation

phosphor

/ fŏs′fər /

1. Any of various substances that can emit light after absorbing some form of radiation. Television screens and fluorescent lamp tubes are coated on the inside with phosphors.
2. See Note at cathode-ray tube

Word History and Origins

Origin of phosphor¹

1625–35; < French phosphore < Latin Phōsphorus Phosphor

Origin of phosphor²

First recorded in 1625–35; from Latin Phōsphorus, from Greek Phōsphóros “the morning star,” literally, “the light-bringing one,” equivalent to phôs “light” + -phoros “bringing”; -phorous

Word History and Origins

Origin of phosphor¹

C17: from French, ultimately from Greek phōsphoros phosphorus

Example Sentences

In discarded fluorescent lighting, mixtures of rare-earth-based phosphors, the substances that contribute to a light's color, are found in a thin coating inside the bulb.

From Science Daily

While currently white light is achieved by phosphor down-conversion, LED color mixing actually has a higher theoretical maximum efficiency, which is needed in order to achieve the 2035 DOE energy efficiency goals.

From Science Daily

Like conventional bulbs, they produced white light by converting some of the blue light into red and green with the help of phosphors encased in the bulbs.

From Science Daily

The blue light is just adjusted using materials called phosphors.

From BBC

The other is to use only blue LEDs but coat them with a type of fluorescent substance called phosphor.

From Scientific American