# light cone

> English word · Noun

## Definitions
1. In special relativity, the pattern describing the temporal evolution of a flash of light in Minkowski spacetime. This is modeled in 3-space using the two horizontal axes as spatial dimensions, while the vertical axis is time.
2. A (realized or imagined) data visualization of possible sets of future outcomes that is analogous to such a cone.
3. Used other than figuratively or idiomatically: see light, cone.

## Source
Compiled from Wiktionary via kaikki.org (CC BY-SA). Data vintage: 2026-05-06.
Canonical page: https://plainspell.com/en/word/light-cone