light-year
[ lahyt-yeer, -yeer ]
/ ˈlaɪtˌyɪər, -ˈyɪər /
noun
Astronomy.
the distance traversed by light in one mean solar year, about 5.88 trillion mi. (9.46 trillion km): used as a unit in measuring stellar distances. Abbreviation: lt-yr
light-years,
- a very great distance, especially in development or progress: The new computer is light-years ahead of the old one.
- a very long time: It's been light-years since I've seen my childhood friends.
Origin of light-year
First recorded in 1885–90
Words nearby light-year
light-minded,
light-o'-love,
light-rail,
light-sensitive,
light-struck,
light-year,
lightboard,
lightboat,
lighten,
lighten up,
lightening
British Dictionary definitions for light year
light year
noun
a unit of distance used in astronomy, equal to the distance travelled by light in one year, i.e. 9.4607 × 10 12 kilometres or 0.3066 parsecs
Scientific definitions for light year
light-year
The distance that light travels in a vacuum in one year, equal to about 9.46 trillion km (5.88 trillion mi). Light-years are used in measuring interstellar and intergalactic distances. Compare astronomical unit parsec.
Cultural definitions for light year
light year
The distance traveled by light in a year (over five trillion miles); a unit for measuring distances outside the solar system. The star nearest to our sun, Alpha Centauri, is more than four light years away.