One of the IESNA's initial undertakings was to clarify and standardize lighting nomenclature. It did so with a provisional set of definitions that the Society first published in 1910. This Recommended Practice represents the latest milestone in an unbroken continuation of that original work.

This Practice on nomenclature replaces the previous version, which was last published in 1986. Since that date, technical advances have given birth to new lighting terminology. Better measurement techniques have led to more international agreement in fundamental units and constants used in basic laws of physics. There is also greater use of SI (metric) units today in illuminating engineering. This Practice reflects these changes with several new terms and definitions and through the careful revision of some existing definitions.

This Practice contains 11 different sections:
Electromagnetic Radiation, Light, Color, Visual Terms, Light Sources, Surfaces and Media for Light Control, Test Procedures, Lighting Calculations, Interior Lighting Applications, Exterior Lighting Applications, and Nonlighting Applications. Terms are defined in alphabetical order within each section. There are also tables containing conversion factors, defining equations, standard symbols, and other useful data. Information may also be found by using the Index, which lists all terms in the Standard alphabetically (regardless of section location). This list is, in turn, keyed by section number and page number to the relevant definition.