light bulb

noun

variants or lightbulb
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
c
: one using LEDs to generate light

Illustration of light bulb

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
These examples are automatically compiled from online sources to illustrate current usage. Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
That was the light bulb moment, to really start to relate to what was most important to them. David Moin, WWD, 29 Oct. 2024 Create the light bulb shades with orange and silver paper cups. Halee Miller Van Ryswyk, Better Homes & Gardens, 23 Oct. 2024 The lamp comes with LED bulbs for soft-white lighting but can also fit standard light bulbs. Claire Rutter, Rolling Stone, 15 July 2024 While making the music, a light bulb went off in LP’s head about her 20-hour workdays and infinite to-do lists. Katie Bain, Billboard, 9 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for light bulb 

Word History

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of light bulb was in 1885

Dictionary Entries Near light bulb

Cite this Entry

“Light bulb.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/light%20bulb. Accessed 13 Nov. 2024.

Kids Definition

lightbulb

noun
light·​bulb ˈlīt-ˌbəlb How to pronounce lightbulb (audio)
: an electric lamp: as
a
: one in which a filament gives off light when heated by an electric current

called also incandescent lamp

More from Merriam-Webster on light bulb

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!