traffic light

noun

: a visual signal (such as a system of colored lights) for controlling traffic

Examples of traffic light in a Sentence

Take a left at the traffic light.
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.
As Hardy put it in an interview with The Star on Tuesday, his hometown has one store with two gas pumps, five or seven stop signs and no traffic lights. Kansas City Star, 25 Sep. 2025 With the new lanes, the buses will operate on their own traffic lights. Ryan Murphy, IndyStar, 25 Sep. 2025 Police said preliminary findings indicate Chan was stopped at the traffic light on westbound Airway Boulevard, preparing to turn right onto northbound Isabel Avenue. Harry Harris, Mercury News, 24 Sep. 2025 One witness said they were stopped at a red light heading south on Dale Street and that Burks was walking north against the traffic light, according to the criminal complaint. Nick Ferraro, Twin Cities, 22 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for traffic light

Word History

First Known Use

1912, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of traffic light was in 1912

Browse Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Traffic light.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/traffic%20light. Accessed 29 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

traffic light

noun
: a visual signal (as a system of green, yellow, and red lights) for controlling traffic

More from Merriam-Webster on traffic light

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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