point source

Definitions

A single, identifiable localized source of something, such as a source of pollution or radiation, from which emissions originate.

In physics and optics, an idealized source of waves or particles that has no physical dimensions, acting as a single mathematical point.

Examples

The factory was identified as the primary point source of the chemical contamination in the local river.

In astronomy, a star is typically treated as a point source because it appears as a single dot of light from such a vast distance.

Synonyms

localized source discrete source single point concentrated source

Antonyms

diffuse source distributed source non-point source area source