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 Officers determined that the driver of the SUV went through the intersection against a red traffic light and collided with the rear portion of the bus, according to police. Jason Green, The Mercury News, 14 Mar. 2024 It is serviced by regular flights from the archipelago's capital, Nassau, but has no major resorts and its roads are so quiet, there are no traffic lights. The Week Uk, theweek, 28 Jan. 2024 The series begins with a traffic safety community meeting on Jan. 18 where the city will seek input about a proposal to increase safety for motorists and students by placing a roundabout and traffic light on W. Bobier Drive between N. Santa Fe Avenue and W. Knapp Drive. Lauren J. Mapp, San Diego Union-Tribune, 5 Jan. 2024 The sidewalk-traversing robots are designed to avoid obstacles, yield to pedestrians, and stop at traffic lights. Catherine Thorbecke, CNN, 20 Feb. 2024 Thousands perched on scooters wait at traffic lights. Jae C. Hong and Aniruddha Ghosal The Associated Press, arkansasonline.com, 10 Feb. 2024 Officials have tried to address those issues through technology to give the streetcar signal prioritization at 26 traffic lights, and with the addition of a tow truck and a transit-only lane designation during events at Little Caesars Arena. Eric D. Lawrence, Detroit Free Press, 19 Jan. 2024 Both Chapman and Combs took to the stage clad in black, standing in place in front of a backlit wall of spotlights that almost, appropriately, resembled traffic lights. Audrey Gibbs, The Courier-Journal, 23 Feb. 2024 The graffiti was painted on two signs of the country club, an outbuilding on the side, and a utility box on a traffic light pole at an exit, Young said. Detroit Free Press, 22 Feb. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'traffic light.' 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

1912, in the meaning defined above

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

Dictionary Entries Near traffic light

Cite this Entry

“Traffic light.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/traffic%20light. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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

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