bulb

noun

\ ˈbəlb

plural bulbs

Definition of bulb

1a : a resting stage of a plant (such as the lily, onion, hyacinth, or tulip) that is usually formed underground and consists of a short stem base bearing one or more buds enclosed in overlapping membranous or fleshy leaves

b : a fleshy structure (such as a tuber or corm) resembling a bulb in appearance

c : a plant having or developing from a bulb

2 : a bulb-shaped part specifically : a glass envelope enclosing the light source of an electric lamp or such an envelope together with the light source it encloses

3 : a rounded or swollen anatomical structure

4 : a camera setting that indicates that the shutter can be opened by pressing on the release and closed by ending the pressure

Other Words from bulb Example Sentences Learn More about bulb

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Other Words from bulb

bulbed \ ˈbəlbd

\ adjective

flasks with bulbed necks

bulblike \ ˈbəlb-ˌlīk

\ or bulb-like adjective

… a large underground rhizome, a bulblike growth that extends massive roots from its underside. — Elizabeth Schneider

Examples of bulb in a Sentence

the bulb of the thermometer

Recent Examples on the Web

Most of the local Klansmen, plus one Klanswoman—the group’s dim-bulb bomb carrier is the wife of its most obviously psychotic member—are played for laughs. — Joe Morgenstern, WSJ, "‘BlacKkKlansman’ Review: Running on Fury," 9 Aug. 2018 These purple, pink, blue, and white bulbs take over the country in lush gardens late April. — Elizabeth Gulino, House Beautiful, "Home Depot is Selling Wisteria Trees You Can Plant in Your Backyard—For Just $23," 16 Apr. 2019 This glamorous take on a traditional source of indirect light can accommodate LED or incandescent bulbs. — Kathryn O’shea-evans, WSJ, "Goodbye, Showy Chandeliers. Hello, Low-Key Lighting That Transforms Rooms," 25 Jan. 2019 There were amaryllis growing out of the ground, their bulbs the size of soccer balls. — Lucia Tonelli, ELLE Decor, "How One Celebrity Florist Brings Flowers into the Home for Spring," 19 Mar. 2019 But for Labor Day, Amazon and Philips Hue are discounting their most popular smart bulbs so you can get started on your smart home—all while still staying within budget. — Popular Mechanics Editors, Popular Mechanics, "Light Up Your Space With Amazon's Philips Hue Sale," 31 Aug. 2018 That’s because nearly 50 years ago, when the successor to the old Emerson Drug Co. was giving up ownership of the Bromo Seltzer Tower, a worker there donated boxes of 1905 vintage bulbs to the Streetcar Museum. — Jacques Kelly, baltimoresun.com, "Jacques Kelly: Museum's restoration of Car 554 brings back the era of open summer streetcars," 7 July 2018 Break them into clumps of a couple of bulbs each between the heels of your palms and repot them into 8- or 10-inch pots filled with a highly organic potting soil. — Neil Sperry, San Antonio Express-News, "Young oaks and pistachios need to be protected from sunscald," 6 July 2018 Behind them, in the darkness, rescue workers toiled Sunday under the light of electric bulbs and amid the whir of drills and water pumps as the desperate search for 12 boys and their 25-year-old soccer coach continued for a ninth consecutive day. — George Styllis, latimes.com, "Water pumps, drills and Buddhist prayers power desperate search for boys trapped in Thailand cave," 1 July 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bulb.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

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Dictionary Entries near bulb

Statistics for bulb

Last Updated

16 May 2019

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Time Traveler for bulb

The first known use of bulb was in the 15th century

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More Definitions for bulb

bulb

noun

English Language Learners Definition of bulb

: a rounded part of some plants that is under the ground and that grows into a new plant during the growing season

: a part that has a rounded shape

See the full definition for bulb in the English Language Learners Dictionary

bulb

noun

\ ˈbəlb

Kids Definition of bulb

1 : light bulb

2 : a dormant stage of a plant that is formed underground and consists of a very short stem with one or more flower buds surrounded by special thick leaves

3 : a plant structure (as a tuber) that is somewhat like a bulb

4 : a rounded object or part the bulb of a thermometer

bulb

noun

\ ˈbəlb

Medical Definition of bulb

1 : a rounded dilation or expansion of something cylindrical the bulb of a thermometer especially : a rounded or pear-shaped enlargement on a small base the bulb of an eyedropper

2 : a rounded part: as