backlighting

[ bak-lahy-ting ]

noun

1. a controlled technique of lighting, used in photography or the theater, in which a light is placed behind or at right angles to an object, person, or scene to produce such effects as depth or separation of subject and background.

Word History and Origins

Origin of backlighting¹

First recorded in 1950–55; back ¹ + lighting

Example Sentences

To unveil the distribution of CO ice within this vast cloud, the researchers required intense backlighting from stars and hot gas.

From Science Daily

To meet the new caps, manufacturers say they may eliminate backlighting and display clocks that remain lit while the microwave is not in use, as well as some higher-end sensors that improve performance.

From Washington Times

In previous years, we’ve had light walls — thousands of LED lights backlighting the entrance.

From New York Times

Nanoco's quantum dots improve the backlighting of LED displays without the use of toxic heavy metals like cadmium.

From Reuters

These unofficial pictures were printed on cheap paper; they incorporated blurs and backlighting and too much headroom; the nudes, especially, could have gotten him packed to Siberia.

From New York Times