point source

noun

1
: a source of radiation (such as light) that is concentrated at a point and considered as having no spatial extension
2
: an identifiable confined source (such as a smokestack or wastewater treatment plant) from which a pollutant is discharged or emitted

Examples of point source in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
This article offers an investor-level overview of the three technologies used for point source capture and the next spells out the strengths and weaknesses of each from an investor perspective. Erik Kobayashi-Solomon, Forbes, 23 Oct. 2024 The musical magic—incredible coherency and speed—comes from the transducers being concentrically configured such that the frequencies from 250 Hz to 100 kHz (well beyond audibility) are delivered as if from a single point source. Robert Ross, Robb Report, 3 July 2024 But Salvato said her organization examined point sources that could have caused the increase and didn't find any answers. Madeline Heim, Journal Sentinel, 9 Jan. 2024 That light was also possibly from a single point source, such as a star, rather than a fuzzy galaxy, says Paulin, who is now a graduate student at the University of Pennsylvania. Stephanie Pappas, Scientific American, 20 July 2023 See all Example Sentences for point source 

Word History

First Known Use

1894, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of point source was in 1894

Dictionary Entries Near point source

Cite this Entry

“Point source.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/point%20source. Accessed 21 Dec. 2024.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!