lantern

noun

lan·​tern ˈlan-tərn 

often attributive

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 sense 2b

Examples of lantern in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Akın Balık Akın Balık, a seemingly ramshackle restaurant, comes alive at night, glittering with strings of lights and lanterns. —Katie Nadworny, Travel + Leisure, 8 Nov. 2025

There’s also a replica of the Florida Everglades, The Treewalk Village, a playground and a holiday season visual show, Luminosa, where lanterns light 13 acres amid live music, food and cultural offerings. —Howard Cohen, Miami Herald, 7 Nov. 2025

The voyage ends with a multitude of lanterns above the Paris skyline, as a mother and child look on from the Pont Neuf, the historic bridge located next to Vuitton’s headquarters. —Joelle Diderich, Footwear News, 7 Nov. 2025

Crossbars on the poles carry dozens of candlelit paper lanterns. —Anthony Kuhn, NPR, 3 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

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

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing lantern

• Chinese lantern
• dark lantern
• friar's lantern
• jack-o'-lantern
• lantern fish
• lantern fly
• lantern jaw
• magic lantern
• spotted lantern fly

Kids Definition

lantern

noun

lan·​tern ˈlant-ərn 

1

: a usually portable light with a protective covering

2

: projector