blinker

1 of 2

noun

blink·​er ˈbliŋ-kər How to pronounce blinker (audio)
1
: one that blinks
especially : a light that flashes off and on as a warning or a signal
2
b
: a cloth hood with shades projecting at the sides of the eye openings used on skittish racehorses
usually used in plural
3
blinkers plural : blinder sense 2

blinker

2 of 2

verb

blinkered; blinkering; blinkers

Examples of blinker in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The movie keeps viewers’ heads pointed straight ahead and fits them with blinkers. Richard Brody, New Yorker, 14 Aug. 2025 Rispoli said Formidable Man is a different horse since McCarthy made the decision to eliminate blinkers. Bill Center, San Diego Union-Tribune, 28 July 2025
Verb
The New Yorker’s Talk writer was similarly blinkered and callous, treating Grey like a consenting partner and Chaplin as a dual victim, of his mother-in-law’s venality and of Middle America’s moral prejudices. Richard Brody, New Yorker, 25 Aug. 2025 Australia asked questions and should have set 300, but the favorites kept the match blinkers on. Tim Ellis, Forbes, 6 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for blinker

Word History

Etymology

Noun

blink entry 1 + -er entry 2

First Known Use

Noun

1637, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1823, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of blinker was in 1637

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Blinker.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blinker. Accessed 5 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

blinker

noun
blink·​er
ˈbliŋ-kər
1
: one that blinks
especially : a blinking light used as a warning or for signaling
2

More from Merriam-Webster on blinker

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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