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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
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Word History
First Known Use
1957, in the meaning defined above
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 27 Dec. 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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