lights-out

noun

1
: a command or signal for putting out lights
2
: a prescribed bedtime for persons living under discipline

Examples of lights-out in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The Thunder have been lights-out from a drafting and player-development standpoint in recent years. Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025 Meanwhile, the Minnesota Twins sit four games back of the final Wild Card spot and have a lights-out closer in Jhoan Durán that Tim Britton, Aaron Gleeman, and Chad Jennings of The Athletic rank as the No. 8 player on their trade deadline big board. Hunter Mulholland, MSNBC Newsweek, 9 July 2025 He’s also learned a big lesson for succeeding on grass, which is to hit a lights-out serve. Matthew Futterman, New York Times, 7 July 2025 Sexton has developed into a lights-out shooter and works hard on defense. Sam Vecenie, New York Times, 26 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for lights-out

Word History

First Known Use

1864, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of lights-out was in 1864

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Cite this Entry

“Lights-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lights-out. Accessed 22 Jul. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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