lamp

noun

ˈlamp 

1

a

: any of various devices for producing light or sometimes heat: such as

(1)

: a vessel with a wick for burning an inflammable liquid (such as oil) to produce light

(2)

: a glass bulb or tube that emits light produced by electricity (such as an incandescent light bulb or fluorescent lamp)

b

: a decorative appliance housing a lamp that is usually covered by a shade

2

: a celestial body

3

: a source of intellectual or spiritual illumination

4

: eye sense 1a

—usually plural

Synonyms of lamp

• light
• lighting
• candle
• headlight
• flashlight

Examples of lamp in a Sentence

I didn't realize it had gotten so dark in the room until my wife came in and turned on the lamp, momentarily blinding me.

Recent Examples on the Web

The nesting tables are by Frederick Kiesler, the lamp is Gino Sarfatti design, and the stool is Poul Kjærholm’s PK91. — Leonora Epstein, Architectural Digest, 14 Oct. 2026

In day scenes, film lights were only used where natural light fell short; at night, the team relied as much as possible on existing streetlights and lamps. — Ophélie Surcouf, Variety, 10 Oct. 2026

Any designer will tell you that the change needn’t be drastic; something as simple as upgrading your bed linens or introducing a new lamp can make all the difference. — Hannah Coates, Vogue, 10 Oct. 2026

Mark pushed me—seven times in three days—to join Target’s membership program and buy a lamp that was going on sale for my new apartment. — Mary Randolph, Scientific American, 9 Oct. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French lampe, from Latin lampas, from Greek, from lampein to shine; akin to Hittite lap- to burn

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing lamp

• arc lamp
• compact fluorescent lamp
• discharge lamp
• floor lamp
• fluorescent lamp
• fog lamp
• glow lamp
• incandescent lamp
• lava lamp
• mercury-vapor lamp
• oil lamp
• quartz-iodine lamp
• safety lamp
• smoking lamp
• sodium lamp
• sodium-vapor lamp
• standard lamp
• student lamp

Rhymes for lamp

• amp
• champ
• clamp
• cramp
• damp
• gamp
• ramp
• samp
• scamp
• stamp
• tamp
• tramp

Kids Definition

lamp

noun

ˈlamp 

: a device for producing light or heat

Medical Definition

lamp

noun

ˈlamp 

: any of various devices for producing light or heat see kromayer lamp, slit lamp