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

Driver license left on the passenger’s seat Four deputies are then seen coming into the frame, approaching the car and casting their flashlights over the bridge’s side. — Eric Adler, Kansas City Star, 21 July 2026

On its website, the government recommends a kit that contains water, food, ID, a flashlight, a radio and clothes, among other things. — Andrei Popoviciu, The Dial, 21 July 2026

Those feeling brave can join a flashlight-only night tour led by historians and paranormal researchers. — Allison Savage Bates, Denver Post, 19 July 2026

Disaster prep used to mean bottled water, flashlights and maybe a generator in the garage. — Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 19 July 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