photodetector

P3H4O1T1O1D2E1T1E1C3T1O1R1

noun

Any device used to detect electromagnetic radiation

Similar
light-sensitive celllight-sensitive detectorlight sensor photodevicephotodevicephotoelectric detectorphotosensor
OriginEnglish detector ← Ancient Greek φωτο- (phōto-) ← Proto-Hellenic *pʰáwos →
UncommonScrabble 21
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Meanings

nounphotodetector (plural photodetectors)

plural photodetectors

  1. Any device used to detect electromagnetic radiation

    Synonyms: light-sensitive cell, light-sensitive detector, light sensor photodevice, photodevice, photoelectric detector, photosensor

Synonyms & antonyms

nounAny device used to detect electromagnetic radiation

Similar
light-sensitive celllight-sensitive detectorlight sensor photodevicephotodevicephotoelectric detectorphotosensor

Origin

  1. Proto-Indo-European*bʰeh₂-
  2. Proto-Indo-European*bʰéh₂os
  3. Proto-Hellenic*pʰáwos
  4. Ancient Greekφᾰ́ος (phắos)
  5. Ancient Greekφῶς (phôs)
  6. Ancient Greekφωτο- (phōto-)
  7. Englishphoto-
  8. Englishdetector
  9. Englishphotodetector

From photo- + detector.

Full word history & related roots →

Translations

Italian fotorivelatore, fotosensore
  • fotorivelatoreTranslations
  • fotosensoreTranslations
Cite this entry
APA

photodetector. (n.d.). In WatkinsX Dictionary. Retrieved November 4, 2026, from https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/photodetector

MLA

“photodetector.” WatkinsX Dictionary, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/photodetector. Accessed November 4, 2026.

Chicago

WatkinsX Dictionary, s.v. “photodetector,” accessed November 4, 2026, https://dictionary.watkinsx.com/word/photodetector.

Source: photodetector on Wiktionary, CC BY-SA 4.0.