What does LUMEN mean?

Parts of Speech:

noun

Definitions:

• A unit of luminous flux in the International System of Units, equal to the amount of light given out through a solid angle by a source of one candela intensity radiating equally in all directions.
• The inner open space or cavity of a tubular organ, as of a blood vessel or an intestine.

Pronunciations:

• US: /ˈluːmən/
• UK: /ˈluːmɛn/

Origin and Usage:

The word "lumen" comes from the Latin word "lūmen" meaning "light". It was first used in English in the mid-19th century to describe the unit of luminous flux. In medicine, "lumen" is used to describe the inner open space or cavity of a tubular organ, such as a blood vessel or an intestine.

Synonyms:

• Unit of luminous flux: Candela, Lux, Foot-candle
• Inner open space of a tubular organ: Cavity, Hollow, Channel

Related Words:

• Flume
• Plume
• Album
• Forum
• Gleam

Example Sentences:

• The lumen is the unit of luminous flux.
• The lumen of a blood vessel is the inner open space or cavity of the vessel.