lighter

1 of 3

noun (1)

ligh·​ter ˈlī-tər 

: a large usually flat-bottomed barge used especially in unloading or loading ships

lighter

2 of 3

verb

lightered; lightering; lighters

transitive verb

: to convey by a lighter

lighter

3 of 3

noun (2)

light·​er ˈlī-tər 

1

: one that lights or sets a fire

2

: a device for lighting a fire

especially : a mechanical or electrical device used for lighting cigarettes, cigars, or pipes

Examples of lighter in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Pyne was placed under arrest with several lighters on his person, and police confirmed that Pyne was the initial caller to Metro Communications earlier that afternoon. —Vanessa Carlson Bender, Sioux Falls Argus Leader, 14 Jan. 2026

Whether board games can replace lighters, mugs, and small leather goods as the new gateway into luxury, or simply exist as novelty collectibles, remains to be seen. —Mecca Pryor, Essence, 13 Jan. 2026

The 6-0 thrashing was highlighted by a blitz of three goals in the span of 76 seconds, the latter two lamp-lighters coming just nine ticks apart. —Kyle Newman, Denver Post, 27 Nov. 2025

Use them to corral odds and ends such as backup remotes, coasters, reading glasses, bookmarks, and electric lighters. —Mary Cornetta, Better Homes & Gardens, 25 Nov. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Middle Dutch *lichter, from lichten to unload; akin to Old English lēoht light in weight

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1677, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing lighter

• lighter fluid
• lighter-than-air

Rhymes for lighter

• biter
• brighter
• fighter
• miter
• niter
• reiter
• righter
• slighter
• tighter
• titer
• titre
• whiter

Kids Definition

lighter

1 of 3 noun

ligh·​ter ˈlīt-ər 

: a large barge used especially in unloading or loading ships

lighter

2 of 3 verb

: to carry by a lighter

lighter

3 of 3 noun

light·​er

ˈlīt-ər

: one that lights

especially : a device for lighting

a cigarette lighter

Etymology

Noun

Middle English lighter "boat"; of Dutch origin

Noun

from ³light and -er