blinks; blinked; blinking
1
: to close and then open your eyes very quickly
She blinked when the light flashed.
Her eyes blinked when the light flashed.
She blinked her eyes when the light flashed.
2
: to shine with a light that goes on and off
The red light was blinking. [=flashing]
3
: to show that you are surprised or upset
Laura didn't (even) blink [=did not seem surprised or upset at all] when I told her that the car was gone.
She didn't (even) blink at the news.
4
: to show weakness in an argument or disagreement : to show that you are willing to agree to or accept what someone else wants or says
When threatened, the government blinked [=gave in] and agreed to move the missiles.
Both sides in the dispute are determined not to blink first.
plural blinks
: the act of closing and then opening your eyes very quickly : the act of blinking
Cite this Entry
“Blink.” Merriam-Webster.com Simple Definition, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/simple/blink. Accessed 20 Apr. 2026.
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