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 of red-light

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

Solbasium's red-light therapy technology helps reduce inflammation, speed muscle recovery, improve skin healing and support overall wellness. —Tracy Wright, FOXNews.com, 14 Dec. 2025

Services include whole-body cryotherapy, infrared sauna, red-light therapy, contrast therapy (dry sauna and ice bath), and compression therapy for lymphatic drainage. —Kimberly Wilson, Essence, 10 Dec. 2025

Noun

Some of the most serious reports from NHTSA include six instances of Tesla vehicles running red lights and crashing into other vehicles with Full-Self Driving engaged. —Charles Singh, USA Today, 13 Dec. 2025

According to celebrity aesthetician Joanna Czech, every single person can benefit from red light. —Stacia Datskovska, Footwear News, 12 Dec. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1878, 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