flashlight

noun

flash·​light ˈflash-ˌlīt 

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

The sun has set by a couple hours; my friend and I rely on flashlights, while our guides trust themselves in the dark. — Jamie Spain, Condé Nast Traveler, 8 Nov. 2026

Buyers in rubber boots moved briskly between the rows, using hooks and flashlights to inspect the fat marbling and ruby-red sheen of each tail cross-section before the rapid-fire hand-signal bidding began. — Liam Hess, Vogue, 7 Nov. 2026

In addition to charging your devices, this solar power bank also functions as a super-bright flashlight and a compass. — Jasmine Gomez, Travel + Leisure, 4 Nov. 2026

Alvin Cunningham, a 75-year-old electrician left the polls with a small work flashlight tucked beneath the brim of his hat still on. — Miami Herald, 3 Nov. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1887, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Rhymes for flashlight

• affright
• airtight
• albite
• alight
• alright
• aplite
• aright
• bainite
• birthright
• bobwhite
• bornite
• bullfight

Kids Definition

flashlight

noun

flash·​light ˈflash-ˌlīt 

: a small battery-operated portable electric light