lantern

noun, often attributive lan·tern \ ˈlan-tərn \

|Updated on: 14 Aug 2018

Definition of lantern

1 : a usually portable protective case for a light with transparent openings — compare chinese lantern

2 a obsolete : lighthouse

b : the chamber in a lighthouse containing the light

c : a structure with glazed or open sides above an opening in a roof for light or ventilation

d : a small tower or cupola or one stage of a cupola

3 : projector 2b

See lantern defined for English-language learners

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Recent Examples of lantern from the Web

His face is everywhere, not just on lanterns but on T-shirts, bumper stickers, even the wall of a downtown café.

— The Economist, "Mohamed Salah, a footballer, has given Egyptians something to cheer," 26 May 2018
This year, his image is on lanterns which are traditionally given to children or used as an ornament during the holy Muslim month of Ramadan, which has just begun.

— hamza hendawi, The Christian Science Monitor, "How a soccer star gave hope to his Egyptian hometown," 23 May 2018
This year, his image is on lanterns which are traditionally given to children or used as an ornament during the holy Muslim month of Ramadan, which has just begun.

— hamza hendawi, Fox News, "In Salah's Nile delta village, the Egyptian is a super hero," 22 May 2018
And in the Japanese garden that was built as Chinese garden and later converted, a fish sculpture with a dragon's head hides among some rocks and paper lanterns.

— frank shyong, latimes.com, "Yamashiro, a century-old Japanese-style castle in Hollywood, tests limits of cultural appropriation debate," 7 Apr. 2018
The merchandise combines vintage, quirkiness, and practicality to offer everything from bath and body products, tea varieties and tea pots, candles, cocktail shakers, to paper lanterns, art prints, and jewelry.

— audrey gorden, RedEye Chicago, "The best Chicago spots to pick up your last-minute Mother's Day gifts," 8 May 2017
All our wood is sourced locally, paper lanterns are made with traditional techniques in Japan, the sofas are made from New Zealand wool, rugs are made from regenerated nylon, and counter-top tiles are hand made by a past collaborator.

— kerry pieri, Harper's BAZAAR, "4 Chic Fashion Brands Doing Things Right, Right Now," 2 July 2018
But these alluring lanterns also aid hapless males in making a match.

— katherine j. wu, Smithsonian, "Why Bioluminescence Evolved to Be Red Light, and Blue," 26 June 2018
Inside the pool, magical little candle lanterns float around.

— refinery29.com, "Here's Exactly How The Situation Proposed To His Girlfriend On Jersey Shore," 22 June 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'lantern.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of lantern

Middle English lanterne, from Anglo-French, from Latin lanterna, from Greek lamptēr, from lampein to shine — more at lamp

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 13th century

in the meaning defined at sense 1

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LANTERN Defined for English Language Learners

lantern

noun

Definition of lantern for English Language Learners

: a light that has usually a glass covering and that can be carried by a handle

LANTERN Defined for Kids

lantern

noun lan·tern \ ˈlan-tərn \

Definition of lantern for Students

: a usually portable lamp with a protective covering

Learn More about lantern

Spanish Central: Translation of lantern Nglish: Translation of lantern for Spanish speakers Britannica English: Translation of lantern for Arabic speakers Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about lantern

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lantern

Definition of lantern

Recent Examples of lantern from the Web

Origin and Etymology of lantern

LANTERN Defined for English Language Learners

lantern

Definition of lantern for English Language Learners

LANTERN Defined for Kids

lantern

Definition of lantern for Students

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