red-light

1 of 2

adjective

ˈred-ˈlīt 

variants or less commonly red light

: relating to or being an area with many brothels or sex workers

Just inside the entrance to "Picasso Érotique," the exhibition's designer has recreated an imagined bordello bedroom as one might have existed in the red-light district of Barcelona in the era of Picasso's youth.

—Arthur C. Danto

In the beginning, entertainment ran more along the lines of saloons, card games and red light activities.

—Jennifer Houghton

red light

2 of 2

noun

: a warning signal

especially : a red traffic signal

Synonyms

Noun

• warning
• red flag
• sign
• handwriting on the wall

Examples of red-light in a Sentence

Noun

the reporter took her glower as a red light and stopped asking questions

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Several studies have revealed that households in majority-Black and Latino ZIP codes receive tickets from red-light and speed cameras at a rate roughly twice that of households in white areas. —Willie Wilson, Chicago Tribune, 14 Aug. 2025

The footprint previously housed the city’s red-light district and prior to groundbreaking in April of 2025 was parking lots. —Chadd Scott, Forbes.com, 6 Aug. 2025

Noun

Cargill fled, running a red light and traveling through a neighborhood at a high speed, according to the release. —Arkansas Online, 5 Aug. 2025

The ultra-portable Red Light Face Wand uses near-infrared and red light LEDs to stimulate collagen, reduce fine lines and improve tone and texture. —Nicole Trilivas, Forbes.com, 2 Aug. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1894, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1849, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for red-light

• affright
• airtight
• albite
• alight
• alright
• aplite
• aright
• bainite
• birthright
• bobwhite
• bornite
• bullfight