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Glite Dictionary
light-emitting diode

light-emitting diode

1 4.6
A small device that makes light when electricity flows through it, for example in traffic lights and screens
  • noun
  • /laɪt ɪˈmɪtɪŋ daɪˈoʊd/
  • Specialized
translation icon : diodo emisor de luz
  • Efficient light-emitting diodes based on microresonators will be useful for low-speed, low-power applications.
  • light-emitting diode (LED)
  • use light-emitting diodes
  • four light-emitting diodes

They they're light emitting diodes that constantly flash.

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Examples

  • Among the wide variety of artificial lighting selections, light-emitting diodes (LEDs) emit higher levels of blue light than conventional light sources.

    Academic text (2014)

  • Switching from incandescent to light-emitting diodes would make the total energy savings nationwide quite large.

    Academic text (1994)

  • Organic light-emitting diode (LED) displays are, for instance, now commercially available.

    Academic text (2006)

  • Rechargeable batteries could even be installed in the solar model house. In this photo, a model house is illuminated using light-emitting diodes and solar cells.

    Academic text (2011)

  • The equipment used in the present study was a light-emitting diode display unit, Sinuscan (Oriole, Finland).

    Academic text (1998)

  • The optical adapter contains the light-emitting diode (LED) sources that drive the fibers, phototransistor receivers, and analog amplifiers.

    Academic text (1990)

  • The engineer explained how the light-emitting diode emits light when an electric current passes through it.

  • Many modern televisions use light-emitting diodes for improved picture quality and energy efficiency.

  • The light-emitting diode indicator on the device shows when it is powered on.

Synonyms

LED
vslight-emitting diode
  • Specialized
45 3.8

A small electronic light on devices that uses very little energy

is the full technical name used instead of the short acronym
light source
vslight-emitting diode
12 3.0

A thing like a lamp or candle that makes a place bright so you can see

is a specific small electronic component that produces light rather than general light-emitting objects

Surface Forms

light-emitting diode singular
light-emitting diodes plural

Morphology

light-emitting + diode

The phrase is fully compositional: 'light-emitting' means emitting light and 'diode' refers to an electronic device that permits current in one direction, so the combined meaning is simply 'a diode that emits light.' This follows standard English compound noun formation and is predictable for learners who know the constituent words, despite the technical register.

Etymology

The name light-emitting diode comes from a simple idea: a small part called a diode gives out light, so the words light and emitting describe what it does. That's why these devices are called 'LEDs' and are used as small lights and bright screens today.