albedo

noun

al·​be·​do al-ˈbē-(ˌ)dō How to pronounce albedo (audio)
plural albedos
1
: reflective power
specifically : the fraction of incident radiation (such as light) that is reflected by a surface or body (such as the moon or a cloud) compare reflectance
2
: the whitish, spongy inner part of the rind of a citrus fruit : the mesocarp of a hesperidium
The trouble with grapefruit is that however carefully you peel it, some of the white stuff always sticks to the fruit. The spongy white tissue, called albedo, is quite bitter, and it clings with the tenacity of lichen.Discover
compare flavedo

Examples of albedo 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.
There are two factors: size and brightness (or albedo, the fraction of light that is reflected from the surface), says Szabo. Bruce Dorminey, Forbes, 21 Oct. 2024 On a trip last year, Tedesco brought along a drone to measure albedo at the edge of the ice sheet. Elizabeth Kolbert, The New Yorker, 7 Oct. 2024 The speed is likely due to the albedo effect, where the more ice there is, the more sunlight is reflected back into space and vice versa. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 15 Aug. 2024 White Desert was the first on the continent to use sustainable aviation fuel, which has a lower soot content (to reduce any albedo effect that hastens melting), blending the maximum 50% regulations currently permit. Annabel Illingworth, TIME, 25 July 2024 See all Example Sentences for albedo 

Word History

Etymology

borrowed from Late Latin albēdin-, albēdō "whiteness, white color," from Latin albus "light-colored, white" + -ēdin-, -ēdō, suffix of abstract nouns; (sense 1) after German Albedo in this sense, borrowed from Latin — more at alb, torpedo

First Known Use

1860, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of albedo was in 1860

Dictionary Entries Near albedo

Cite this Entry

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

Medical Definition

albedo

noun
al·​be·​do al-ˈbēd-(ˌ)ō How to pronounce albedo (audio)
plural albedos
: the fraction of incident light or electromagnetic radiation that is reflected by a surface or body (as the moon or the skin)

More from Merriam-Webster on albedo

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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