light pen

noun

: a pen-shaped device for direct interaction with a computer through a cathode-ray tube display

Examples of light pen in a Sentence

writing with a light pen
Recent Examples on the Web The game comes in the silvery packaging that was standard for Vectrex releases in its day and even comes with a light pen, a peripheral used for keying in those delivery routes. Tim Stevens, Ars Technica, 4 Jan. 2024 Sketchpad was also the first program with a graphical user interface, controlled by touching text and icons on screen with the light pen, in addition to typing commands. BostonGlobe.com, 15 Aug. 2023 With it, a user was able to interactively and in real time make line drawings on the computer’s CRT screen, using a light pen for direct input on the display. IEEE Spectrum, 14 Apr. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'light pen.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1957, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of light pen was in 1957

Dictionary Entries Near light pen

Cite this Entry

“Light pen.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/light%20pen. Accessed 30 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

light pen

noun
: a pen-shaped device that senses light signals and is used to work with information on a computer display screen
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