mercury-vapor lamp

noun

: an electric lamp in which the discharge takes place through mercury vapor

called also mercury lamp

Examples of mercury-vapor lamp in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The caretaker of one property in Melbourne Beach found hundreds of dead hatchlings piled beneath a single mercury-vapor lamp. Ed Yong, The Atlantic, 13 June 2022 Ann’s father was Peter Cooper Hewitt, whose invention of the mercury-vapor lamp in 1901 earned him more than $1 million. Audrey Clare Farley, Town & Country, 20 Apr. 2021

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'mercury-vapor lamp.' 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

1904, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of mercury-vapor lamp was in 1904

Dictionary Entries Near mercury-vapor lamp

Cite this Entry

“Mercury-vapor lamp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/mercury-vapor%20lamp. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

mercury-vapor lamp

noun
mer·​cu·​ry-va·​por lamp -ˌvā-pər- How to pronounce mercury-vapor lamp (audio)
: an electric lamp in which the discharge takes place through mercury vapor and which has been used therapeutically as a source of ultraviolet radiation
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