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Glite Dictionary
organic light-emitting diode

organic light-emitting diode

5.4
A very thin screen or light that makes light when electricity flows through special plastic materials
  • noun
  • /ɔrˈɡænɪk laɪt ɪˈmɪtɪŋ daɪˈoʊd/
  • Specialized
translation icon : diodo orgánico emisor de luz
  • Many modern televisions utilize organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs) for improved picture quality without requiring backlighting.
  • organic light-emitting diodes (OLEDs)
  • organic light-emitting diode (OLED) display
  • efficient organic light-emitting diodes

Maybe you're thinking OK nerd, why is OLED or organic light emitting diode such a big deal?

Examples

  • Maybe you're thinking OK nerd, why is OLED or organic light emitting diode such a big deal?

    WIRED

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

    Academic text (2006)

  • The latest smartphone features an organic light-emitting diode display that offers vibrant colors and deep blacks.

  • Researchers are exploring the potential of organic light-emitting diodes to create flexible screens for wearable technology.

Synonyms

OLED
vsorganic light-emitting diode
  • Specialized
2 5.3

A screen type used in TVs and phones that makes its own light for bright colors

is the full technical name written without abbreviation and used in formal contexts

Surface Forms

organic light-emitting diode singular
organic light-emitting diodes plural

Morphology

organic + light-emitting + diode

The term is fully compositional: 'light-emitting' literally means emitting light and 'diode' is a device, so 'light-emitting diode' is a device that emits light; 'organic' straightforwardly qualifies the diode as made with organic compounds. This modifier+noun structure is predictable and mirrors equivalent constructions in other languages, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words can infer the overall meaning despite the term being technical.

Etymology

Organic light-emitting diode breaks into parts that tell its story: organic means it uses materials like those found in living things, light-emitting means it 'gives off light', and diode is a small part that lets electricity flow one way. Because these thin layers make their own light, displays that use them are very thin and bright, so the name now refers to the thin screen panels in phones and TVs.