lantern

noun

lan·​tern ˈlan-tərn 

often attributive

1

: a usually portable protective case for a light with transparent openings compare chinese lantern

2

a

obsolete : lighthouse

b

: the chamber in a lighthouse containing the light

c

: a structure with glazed or open sides above an opening in a roof for light or ventilation

d

: a small tower or cupola or one stage of a cupola

3

: projector sense 2b

Examples of lantern in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The source of the light, which shifted from blue to green to a white whose secret ingredient is ultraviolet, sat in the middle of what could have been an alien lantern, with the otherworldly lightbulb supported in a mystifying structure of translucent plastic. —Madeline Bodin, Smithsonian Magazine, 27 June 2025

We were seated in a vinyl booth by the window, bordered by snake plants on the sill, red lanterns hanging above our heads. —Helen Schulman, The Atlantic, 26 June 2025

Down the hall is an oversized Noguchi lantern and the magenta-and-turquoise Emily Mason oil painting that informed the rest of the palette. —Morgan Goldberg, Architectural Digest, 5 June 2025

To prove Joseph has disappeared, Elijah then hits the lantern with a mallet (begging the question of what school administrator okayed this in the first place). —Louis Peitzman, Vulture, 29 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English lanterne, from Anglo-French, from Latin lanterna, from Greek lamptēr, from lampein to shine — more at lamp

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing lantern

• Chinese lantern
• dark lantern
• friar's lantern
• jack-o'-lantern
• lantern fish
• lantern fly
• lantern jaw
• magic lantern
• spotted lantern fly

Kids Definition

lantern

noun

lan·​tern ˈlant-ərn 

1

: a usually portable light with a protective covering

2

: projector