red-light

1 of 2

adjective

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

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
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.
Adjective
In the new study, the researchers recruited 26 current football players to understand more about the impact of red-light therapy on brain injuries. Khloe Quill, FOXNews.com, 27 Jan. 2026 Tierra Santa Healing House introduces a comprehensive spa and longevity experience, featuring immersive hydrothermal rituals, botanical steam rooms infused with South American herbs, horizontal rain shower beds, cold plunge and red-light therapy and couples heated stone beds. Emma Kershaw, Forbes.com, 26 Jan. 2026
Noun
Travon Troupe, 39, of Hayward, allegedly drove drunk through a red light at Foothill Boulevard and 68th Avenue in Oakland, smashing into a big rig that had the right of way. Nate Gartrell, Mercury News, 6 Feb. 2026 Shake off any jet lag from your travels with a massage and red light therapy from Monarch Ketchum before simultaneously shopping for vintage pieces and getting caffeinated at Maude’s—or spend a few hours browsing the exhibitions at the Sun Valley Museum of Art. Lydia Mansel, Travel + Leisure, 5 Feb. 2026 See All Example Sentences for red-light

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1878, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1849, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of red-light was in 1849

Browse Nearby Words

See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Red-light.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/red-light. Accessed 8 Feb. 2026.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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