rasterization

noun

ras·​ter·​i·​za·​tion ˌra-stə-rə-ˈzā-shən How to pronounce rasterization (audio)
computers
: the process of converting a digital image from a vector graphics format in which the characteristics of lines, shapes, etc. are defined by mathematical formulas into a set of individual pixels
Rasterization is the process of taking a vector graphics image which is made up of shapes and converting it into a raster image which is made up of pixels or dots for output on a video display or printer or for storage in a bitmap file format.Joseph Frantiska, Jr.
For this test we'll focus exclusively on rasterization performance as the Radeon [graphics card] doesn't support ray tracing.Steven Walton

Examples of rasterization in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
This gallery consists primarily of benchmarks that rely on normal rasterization (i.e., no ray tracing). Sam MacHkovech and Andrew Cunningham, Ars Technica, 5 Oct. 2022 Still, with only rasterization as a metric, some testing limits became evident in a small percentage of tests. Sam MacHkovech, Ars Technica, 12 Oct. 2022

Word History

Etymology

rasterize + -ation

First Known Use

1979, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of rasterization was in 1979

Dictionary Entries Near rasterization

Cite this Entry

“Rasterization.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/rasterization. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.

Love words? Need even more definitions?

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