flashlight

noun

flash·​light ˈflash-ˌlīt How to pronounce flashlight (audio)
1
: a small battery-operated portable electric light
2
a
: a sudden bright artificial light used in taking photographic pictures
b
: a photograph taken by such a light

Examples of flashlight in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Apple has repurposed its physical mute button on the side of its high-end models into a more customizable tool, allowing users to carry out a handful of commands, from recording a voice memo and taking a picture to turning on the flashlight. Samantha Murphy Kelly, CNN, 19 Sep. 2023 The Action Button, which replaces the ring / vibrate switch, can be programmed to do things like activating the camera, turning on the flashlight, starting a Voice Memo, opening a note, switching Focus modes, or running your own custom shortcuts. Emma Roth, The Verge, 13 Sep. 2023 Police say the rifle has a scope and flashlight mounted on top. Adam Sabes, Fox News, 13 Sep. 2023 If the light mentioned in the title refers to subtle gradations on a spectrum, the light in the limited series is like having somebody activate their iPhone flashlight app in your eyes. Daniel Fienberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 10 Sep. 2023 Under covers with a flashlight, when I was supposed to be asleep. John Archibald | Jarchibald@al.com, al, 5 Sep. 2023 Ngoc McShane moved swiftly, armed with a flashlight, thermometer and pen. Cindy Carcamo, Los Angeles Times, 5 Sep. 2023 Paul Hudson, a West Point archaeologist, turned on a flashlight, illuminating the capsule’s dark recesses. Ellen Wexler, Smithsonian Magazine, 1 Sep. 2023 Once inside the library, both women went behind the librarian’s desk, using a phone’s flashlight to look through books. Michael Williams, Dallas News, 24 Aug. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'flashlight.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1886, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Time Traveler
The first known use of flashlight was in 1886

Dictionary Entries Near flashlight

Cite this Entry

“Flashlight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/flashlight. Accessed 3 Oct. 2023.

Kids Definition

flashlight

noun
flash·​light ˈflash-ˌlīt How to pronounce flashlight (audio)
: a small battery-operated portable electric light
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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