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
Like some other red-light therapy masks, including the TheraFace, Dr. Dennis Gross SpectraLite, and Currentbody, the Omnilux Contour Face is not FDA-approved. Deanna Pai, Vogue, 8 May 2025 The bill specifies that these costs include reimbursing a vendor for speed and red-light camera design, installation, operation, or maintenance. Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 28 Apr. 2025
Noun
Witnesses said that Pelkey was at a red light when Horcasitas pulled up behind him in a Volkswagen. Saleen Martin, USA Today, 10 May 2025 On the topic of disparities, Barone said over the last 10 years the numbers show when police use the traffic laws to focus on violations that are killing people like speeding, following too closely, running stop signs or red lights there is little disparity in the data. Sean Krofssik, Hartford Courant, 9 May 2025 See All Example Sentences for red-light

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1894, 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

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Cite this Entry

“Red-light.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/red-light. Accessed 20 May. 2025.

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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