SINCE 1828
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
Illustration of bulb
bulb 1a: 1 hyacinth, 2 onion, 3 tulip, 4 lily
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Other Words from bulb
bulbed
\ ˈbəlbd
\
adjective
\
adjective
flasks with bulbed necks
bulblike
\ ˈbəlb-ˌlīk
\
or bulb-like
adjective
\
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
Add 2 stalks celery, 1 Bartlett pear, 1 bulb fennel, and 1 scallion (all thinly sliced) and toss to combine. — Woman's Day Kitchen, Woman's Day, "Pear & Walnut Salad," 21 Dec. 2018 Some of these products use LEDs or have no replaceable bulbs at all. — Ashley Carman, The Verge, "Philips new Hue lights cover your entire home, inside and out," 10 Aug. 2018 Detectives say Marlene Warren, 40, answered the door to her home in the Aero Club community on May 26, 1990, to accept a bouquet and two balloons from a clown wearing an orange wig, a red bulb nose, gloves and a smile painted on its white face. — Chuck Weber, Sun-Sentinel.com, "Evidence photos shed light on notorious killer clown case," 4 July 2018 Garlic: Those stray pieces and half bulbs that are probably stowed away in the butter shelf of the fridge are perfect additions to the hot charcoal. — Chuck Blount, San Antonio Express-News, "Add a little more flavor to your grill with fragrant ingredients," 2 July 2018 If the problem is harsh lighting, think about solutions: Different overhead bulbs? — New York Times, "How to Deal With Misguided Job Inquiries," 22 June 2018 Their decor has come as the biggest shock to Raque, who describes the setting as a fancy tea room, with its Edison bulb lights and beveled mirrors. — Bailey Loosemore, The Courier-Journal, "80/20 at Kaelin's wants to honor restaurant's history - not imitate it," 24 May 2018 The 73-foot tall neon and bulb sign atop the 12-story, distinctively curved building at 2107 Grand Blvd. has been dark for years. — Matt Campbell, kansascity, "Iconic Western Auto sign to relight the Kansas City skyline | The Kansas City Star," 22 May 2018 Park staff removed 13 streetlights and switched many bulbs to light-emitting diodes (LED). — Helena Oliviero, ajc, "Plan your trip: A guide to the Okefenokee swamp," 2 July 2018These 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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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
a
: a rounded enlargement of one end of a part — see bulb of the penis, bulb of the vestibule, end bulb, hair bulb, olfactory bulb
c
: a thick-walled muscular enlargement of the pharynx of certain nematode worms
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