Standard Lemma guide

optoelectronics

noun · 1 senses · updated from the 2026-07-25 local source snapshot

Definitions and examples are grouped by meaning. Pronunciation, history, word forms, translations, descendants, synonyms, antonyms, derived terms, and related words appear whenever the source provides them.

Sound

Pronunciation

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  • General-American: /ˌɑptoʊ.ɪlɛkˈtɹɑnɪks/
  • Received-Pronunciation: /ˌɒptəʊ.iːlɛkˈtɹɒnɪks/
  • rhymes with -ɒnɪks

1

noun

Meaning 1

The branch of physics that deals with the interaction of light with electronic devices, or the production of light from such devices

Definition source: English Wiktionary via Wiktextract

Usage: uncountable

Topics: natural-sciences, physical-sciences, physics

No example sentence was provided for this meaning.

Meaning relationships

Synonyms: none provided

Antonyms: none provided

History

Etymology

Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *h3ekw-der. Ancient Greek ὄπωπᾰ (ópōpă) Proto-Indo-European *-tós Proto-Hellenic *-tós Ancient Greek -τός (-tós) Ancient Greek ὀπτός (optós)der. English opto- Ancient Greek ἤλεκτρον (ḗlektron)bor. Latin ēlectrum Proto-Indo-European *-ikos Proto-Italic *-ikos Latin -icus New Latin ēlectricusbor. English electric Proto-Indo-European *h1ey- Proto-Indo-European *h1éyti Proto-Hellenic *éimi Ancient Greek ἰόν (ión)der. English ion English electron ▲ Latin -icuslbor. Old French -iquebor. Middle English -ik English -ic Old English -as Middle English -es English -s English -ics English electronics English optoelectronics From opto- + electronics.

Across languages

Translations

3 source translations are retained for this English entry.

  • French: optoélectronique — branch of physics
  • German: Optoelektronik — branch of physics
  • Greek: οπτοηλεκτρονική (optoïlektronikí) — branch of physics