taillight

noun

tail·​light ˈtāl-ˌlīt How to pronounce taillight (audio)
: a usually red warning light mounted at the rear of a vehicle

called also taillamp

Examples of taillight in a Sentence

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.
Forensic scientists showed the jury tiny red bits of plastic stuck in the fabric of O’Keefe’s sweatshirt, and pieces of Read’s taillight near where the body was found. Ross O'Keefe, The Washington Examiner, 18 June 2025 One demonstrator can be seen bumping into the car’s left taillight while another uses an object to smash the light. Ruben Vives, Los Angeles Times, 17 June 2025 But at each speed — 10 mph, 17 mph, 15 mph, 29 mph and 24 mph — the damage to the test taillights was less than what was seen on Read’s taillight, Wolfe said. Dakin Andone, CNN Money, 16 June 2025 Forensic scientists testified about small pieces of red plastic found near O’Keefe’s body, the nature of his injuries and Read’s fractured taillight. Karissa Waddick, USA Today, 16 June 2025 See All Example Sentences for taillight

Word History

First Known Use

1844, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of taillight was in 1844

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Taillight.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/taillight. Accessed 30 Jun. 2025.

Kids Definition

taillight

noun
tail·​light ˈtā(ə)l-ˌlīt How to pronounce taillight (audio)
: a red warning light mounted at the rear of a vehicle

More from Merriam-Webster on taillight

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