streetlight

noun

street·​light ˈstrēt-ˌlīt How to pronounce streetlight (audio)
: a light usually mounted on a pole and constituting one of a series spaced at intervals along a public street or highway

called also streetlamp

Examples of streetlight in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web Lee’s evocative set, of a curved highway dotted with streetlights from different eras also contributes to the sense of passing time. Pam Kragen, San Diego Union-Tribune, 6 Mar. 2024 The city will reimburse Chicanos Por La Causa $100,000 for the replacement of the bus stop and streetlights. Maritza Dominguez, The Arizona Republic, 30 Jan. 2024 This year’s budget set aside $55.5 million, which was minus the first of two $11 million installments diverted from the 1/2-cent sales tax fund to pay for streetlights. Mike Hendricks, Kansas City Star, 18 Jan. 2024 As for what would be helpful from the city, Martinez said a sign or directories around the downtown area would go a long way, as would fixing the broken streetlights. Alexandra Hardle, The Arizona Republic, 27 Feb. 2024 Sellers said work will begin in March to replace the streetlights and is expected to be done by the end of the year. Drake Bentley, Journal Sentinel, 22 Feb. 2024 Three streetlights with wires hanging out of them were near the parking lot, and none of the lights in the lot were working. Mara H. Gottfried, Twin Cities, 30 Jan. 2024 The officer inside, Mathew Bianchi, clocked the Mazda at well over the limit and prepared to make a stop at a nearby streetlight. Jonah E. Bromwich, New York Times, 16 Jan. 2024 Christmas lights in the shapes of bells and Santa heads and holly leaves hung from streetlights, an early December cold snap that turned his breath to frostbitten mist in front of his face. Jessica Leon, EW.com, 28 Sep. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'streetlight.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1819, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of streetlight was in 1819

Dictionary Entries Near streetlight

Cite this Entry

“Streetlight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/streetlight. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

streetlight

noun
street·​light -ˌlīt How to pronounce streetlight (audio)
: a light usually on a pole that is one of a series spaced along a public road

More from Merriam-Webster on streetlight

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!