light year

• Unité de distance astronomique égale à la distance parcourue par la lumière en un an, soit environ 9 460 milliards de kilomètres (5 878 milliards de milles).

A unit of astronomical distance equal to the distance light travels in one year, approximately 9.46 trillion kilometers (5.88 trillion miles).

1. Astronomical distanceB2formal

   A unit of distance used in astronomy, equal to the distance light travels in one year (about 9.46 trillion kilometers).

   année-lumière

   • The nearest star to Earth is about 4.2 light years away.
   • Galaxies can be millions of light years apart.
   • Astronomers measure cosmic distances in light years.

2. Figurative: huge differenceB2informal

   Used informally to describe a very large difference or a long period of time.

   année-lumière (sens figuré)

   • Their new model is light years ahead of the competition.
   • The technology we have now is light years beyond what we had a decade ago.
   • Her understanding of the subject is light years ahead of mine.