light bulb

noun

variants or lightbulb
plural light bulbs or lightbulbs
: an electric lamp: such as
a
: one in which a filament gives off light when heated to incandescence by an electric current

called also incandescent, incandescent lamp

b
: one having a coating of fluorescent material on its inner surface that emits visible light : fluorescent lamp
c
: one using LEDs to generate light

Illustration of light bulb

Illustration of light bulb
  • 1 bulb containing gas
  • 2 filament
  • 3 connecting and supporting wires
  • 4 exhaust tube
  • 5 screw base
  • 6 base contact

Examples of light bulb in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web While making the music, a light bulb went off in LP’s head about her 20-hour workdays and infinite to-do lists. Katie Bain, Billboard, 9 Oct. 2024 The Wall Street titan recalled the light bulb moment came after breaking down in tears when another long day at work meant missing out on seeing her children that evening. Eleanor Pringle, Fortune, 8 Oct. 2024 Thomas Edison famously failed thousands of times before finally inventing the light bulb. Benjamin Laker, Forbes, 8 Oct. 2024 On the counter was a tray of delicate little basil and tomato plants, a box of light bulbs, and a three-litre can of my mother’s favorite olive oil: these things were for her. Matthew Klam, The New Yorker, 6 Oct. 2024 See all Example Sentences for light bulb 

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

1885, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of light bulb was in 1885

Dictionary Entries Near light bulb

Cite this Entry

“Light bulb.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/light%20bulb. Accessed 31 Oct. 2024.

Kids Definition

lightbulb

noun
light·​bulb ˈlīt-ˌbəlb How to pronounce lightbulb (audio)
: an electric lamp: as
a
: one in which a filament gives off light when heated by an electric current

called also incandescent lamp

More from Merriam-Webster on light bulb

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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