lamp

noun

ˈlamp 

1

a

: any of various devices for producing light or sometimes heat: such as

(1)

: a vessel with a wick for burning an inflammable liquid (such as oil) to produce light

(2)

: a glass bulb or tube that emits light produced by electricity (such as an incandescent light bulb or fluorescent lamp)

b

: a decorative appliance housing a lamp that is usually covered by a shade

2

: a celestial body

3

: a source of intellectual or spiritual illumination

4

: eye sense 1a

—usually plural

Synonyms of lamp

• light
• lighting
• candle
• headlight
• flashlight

Examples of lamp in a Sentence

I didn't realize it had gotten so dark in the room until my wife came in and turned on the lamp, momentarily blinding me.

Recent Examples on the Web

Coover rested an elbow on the bar and crossed one cowboy boot over the other, his fist-size belt buckle shining under the Tiffany lamps and copper ceilings. — Kyle Paoletta, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026

Why the trend matters right now Interest in candle warmer lamps follows a clear seasonal pattern, with peak buying in October, November and December as households prepare for holiday hosting and gift-giving. — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 22 Sep. 2026

The lamp is a vintage Serge Mouille piece from Atwood’s collection. — Matt Goulet, Architectural Digest, 22 Sep. 2026

Are candle warmer lamps safer than burning traditional candles? — Lauren Jarvis-Gibson, Sacbee.com, 22 Sep. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French lampe, from Latin lampas, from Greek, from lampein to shine; akin to Hittite lap- to burn

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing lamp

• arc lamp
• compact fluorescent lamp
• discharge lamp
• floor lamp
• fluorescent lamp
• fog lamp
• glow lamp
• incandescent lamp
• lava lamp
• mercury-vapor lamp
• oil lamp
• quartz-iodine lamp
• safety lamp
• smoking lamp
• sodium lamp
• sodium-vapor lamp
• standard lamp
• student lamp

Rhymes for lamp

• amp
• champ
• clamp
• cramp
• damp
• gamp
• ramp
• samp
• scamp
• stamp
• tamp
• tramp

Kids Definition

lamp

noun

ˈlamp 

: a device for producing light or heat

Medical Definition

lamp

noun

ˈlamp 

: any of various devices for producing light or heat see kromayer lamp, slit lamp