light bulb

noun

\ ˈlīt-ˌbəlb

variants: or lightbulb

Definition of light bulb

: an electric lamp: such as

a : one in which a filament gives off light when heated to incandescence by an electric current

— called also incandescent, incandescent lamp

b : fluorescent lamp

Examples of light bulb in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Only in the world of green government spending is replacing light bulbs for two grand a unit a cost-saving measure. — The Editorial Board, WSJ, "$1,973 LEDs and the Green New Deal," 15 Feb. 2019 Light Bulbs Some states and jurisdictions may actually require recycling light bulbs, so check your local laws before tossing these in the trash. — Alissa Katz, Good Housekeeping, "How to Dispose of Everything, Including Old Cell Phones, Mattresses, and Batteries," 8 Jan. 2019 Today they are refitted to hold electric light bulbs. — Christine Van Blokland, USA TODAY, "Take Me Away: Vienna’s lush palaces and coffee houses," 21 Mar. 2018 The boy had a history of kicking holes in the wall, pulling knives and, when the family started hiding potential weapons, breaking light bulbs to get shards of glass to use to cut himself, Timion said. — Alexia Elejalde-ruiz, chicagotribune.com, "10 years after federal law to protect insurance coverage of mental illness, advocates question if it's working," 5 Apr. 2018 As her father talked about some of his inventions, the light bulb went off. — Carol Cain, Detroit Free Press, "Father-daughter team among cheerleaders for auto show tech side," 14 Jan. 2018 Arc Light by designer Vedat Ulgen is a slab of solid walnut with portions of said slab sliced away to make room for light bulbs. — Rollin Bishop, Popular Mechanics, "This Righteous Lamp Wirelessly Lights Bulbs Like Magic," 3 Aug. 2015 Then things start to happen and the light bulb goes on. — Candice Rainey, Condé Nast Traveler, "The Colorado Ranch Retreat That Gives You a Real Taste of Cowboy Life," 20 July 2018 Incandescent light bulbs might give off a nice homey glow, but only 5 percent of their energy consumption is actually converted into light. — Barbara Eldredge, Curbed, "How to save on utility bills," 25 Jan. 2019

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