Dictionary
Thesaurus
Encyclopedia
Translator
Web

lightyear

 - 2 dictionary results

light-year

[lahyt-yeer, -yeer]
–noun
1. 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
2. light-years,
a. a very great distance, esp. in development or progress: The new computer is light-years ahead of the old one.
b. a very long time: It's been light-years since I've seen my childhood friends.

Origin:
1885–90
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To lightyear
Science Dictionary
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.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2002. Published by Houghton Mifflin. All rights reserved.
Cite This Source
Search another word or see lightyear on Thesaurus | Reference
FacebookTwitterFollow us: