photocell

[ foh-toh-sel ]
/ ˈfoʊ toʊˌsɛl /

noun Electronics.

a solid-state device that converts light into electrical energy by producing a voltage, as in a photovoltaic cell, or uses light to regulate the flow of current, as in a photoconductive cell: used in automatic control systems for doors, lighting, etc.
Also called electric eye, photoelectric cell.

Origin of photocell

First recorded in 1890–95; photo- + cell1

Words nearby photocell

photobomb, photocard, photocatalysis, photocatalyst, photocathode, photocell, photochemical, photochemical smog, photochemistry, photochemotherapy, photochromic

Example sentences from the Web for photocells

  • Eyes and photocells turned inquisitorially upon Roger Snedden.

    Bread Overhead |Fritz Reuter Leiber

  • All the photocells on Earth and Venus and Mercury are at present busy storing the sun's power in atostors.

    The Ultimate Weapon |John Wood Campbell

  • Rose Thinker spun twice on her chair and opened her photocells wide.

    Bread Overhead |Fritz Reuter Leiber

British Dictionary definitions for photocells

photocell
/ (ˈfəʊtəʊˌsɛl) /

noun

a device in which the photoelectric or photovoltaic effect or photoconductivity is used to produce a current or voltage when exposed to light or other electromagnetic radiation. They are used in exposure meters, burglar alarms, etc Also called: photoelectric cell, electric eye

Scientific definitions for photocells

photocell
[ fō′tō-sĕl′ ]

See photoresistor.