light bulb

noun

variants or lightbulb

ˈlīt-ˌbəlb 

plural light bulbs or lightbulbs

: 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

: one having a coating of fluorescent material on its inner surface that emits visible light : fluorescent lamp

especially : compact fluorescent light

c

: one using LEDs to generate light

Illustration of light bulb

• 1 bulb containing gas
• 2 filament
• 3 connecting and supporting wires
• 4 exhaust tube
• 5 screw base
• 6 base contact

Examples of light bulb in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

In addition, members enjoy that regular maintenance like mowing the grass, snow removal, or even changing light bulbs is taken care of for them. —Steve Jahnke, Kansas City Star, 21 Aug. 2025

After a fermentation process that once relied on the warmth of a salt block and sunlight, now replicated by a light bulb in a cabinet, the mixture is combined with yeast and flour, left to rise again. —Gabi De La Rosa, Southern Living, 17 Aug. 2025

Meanwhile, the lowest-impact actions were changing to more efficient appliances and swapping out light bulbs, recycling, and using less energy on washing clothes. —Dave Smith, Fortune, 14 Aug. 2025

Fish oil, light bulbs, bacon, cat food and more At 3:05 p.m., on March 30, a Cloverdale police officer was working off-duty employment in uniform at the Walmart, 10671 East Washington St., when an asset protection investigator alerted him about a man stealing in the store. —Jade Jackson, IndyStar, 2 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for light bulb

• lightbulb

Kids Definition

lightbulb

noun

light·​bulb ˈlīt-ˌbəlb 

: an electric lamp: as

a

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

called also incandescent lamp

b

: fluorescent lamp