Word
albedo
Phoneticsalbe·do
UK/ælbˈiːdəʊ/
Countable noun
Definition
n. the share of light that a surface reflects instead of absorbing. White ice has high albedo, while dark rock has low albedo.
n. the fraction of incoming light or radiation reflected by a surface, usually given as a number between 0 and 1 or as a percentage. Determined by colour, texture and angle of illumination.
Examples
“Fresh snow has a high albedo.”
“The climate model includes the albedo of sea ice, which reflects far more sunlight than dark ocean water.”
“As polar ice retreats, falling albedo allows the ocean to absorb more solar energy, accelerating warming in a self-reinforcing feedback loop.”
Examples
simple
“Fresh snow has a high albedo.”
contextual
“The climate model includes the albedo of sea ice, which reflects far more sunlight than dark ocean water.”
complex
“As polar ice retreats, falling albedo allows the ocean to absorb more solar energy, accelerating warming in a self-reinforcing feedback loop.”
Collocations
Common phrases and expressions where native English speakers use the word “albedo” in context.
Verb
01. albedo influences
“Desert albedo influences regional temperature and rainfall.”
noun + verb
02. albedo regulates
“Ocean albedo regulates how much heat the planet retains.”
noun + verb
03. albedo varies
“Albedo varies sharply between snow, forest and ocean.”
noun + verb
04. enhance albedo
“Researchers aim to enhance albedo with reflective crops.”
verb + noun
05. increase albedo
“Painting roofs white can increase albedo in dense cities.”
verb + noun
Adjective
06. global albedo
“Melting ice could reduce global albedo and accelerate warming.”
adj + noun
07. high albedo
“Fresh snow has very high albedo and reflects most sunlight.”
adj + noun
Noun
08. change in albedo
“A small change in albedo can shift the climate balance.”
noun + prep + noun
09. effect of albedo
“The cooling effect of albedo is strongest over polar ice.”
noun + prep + noun
10. loss of albedo
“Loss of albedo after deforestation warms the local climate.”
noun + prep + noun
11. have a high albedo
“Fresh snow has a high albedo, reflecting up to 90% of sunlight.”
12. have a low albedo
“Open ocean has a low albedo and absorbs most incoming radiation.”
Real-World Examples
“That ice absorbs more sunlight than snow because of its lower albedo, so its exposure accelerates overall glacial melt.” “The superpower of sea ice is its high albedo, meaning that it reflects a lot of sunlight—somewhere between 60% and 90%—back into space.” Etymology
Borrowed from Latin albēdō (“whiteness”).
Etymology adapted from Wiktionary, available under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Related words
Domains
- Exam level
- CambridgeCambridgeCambridge English QualificationsThe exam suite from Cambridge University Press & Assessment, from A1 Movers up to C2 Proficiency. The benchmark names double as CEFR labels.C2 ProficiencyIELTSIELTSInternational English Language Testing SystemThe 0–9 band test co-owned by the British Council, IDP, and Cambridge. Used for university entry, work, and migration.8.5–9.0TOEFL iBTTOEFL iBTTest of English as a Foreign Language, Internet-Based TestETS's academic English test, the standard route for US university admissions. Scored 0–120, with a 1–6 scale since 2026.1–6 scale: 6.0114–120
- Frequency
- Occasional
- Level
- C2 · Proficiency
- Updated
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