neon

1 of 2

noun

ne·​on ˈnē-ˌän 

1

: a nonmetallic chemical element that is found in minute amounts in air and is used especially in electric lamps, in lasers, and as a cryogenic refrigerant see Chemical Elements Table

2

a

: a discharge lamp in which the gas contains a large proportion of neon

b

: a sign composed of such lamps

c

: the illumination provided by such lamps or signs

neoned

ˈnē-ˌänd 

adjective

neon

2 of 2

adjective

1

: of, relating to, or using neon

2

: extremely bright : fluorescent

neon yellow

Example Sentences

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The earplugs light up in neon colors, creating the vibe that raves are known for. —Lisa Kocay, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2023

Thomas also recommends neon lights and string lights as additional light sources. —Cori Sears, Better Homes & Gardens, 15 Mar. 2023

Metallic fabrics, bright, neon colors, and bold geometric shapes were among the defining characteristics of the collection. —ELLE, 9 Mar. 2023

The Sunbird is the most serious offender, with an instrument panel that assaults the eyes with garish forms, neon colors, and oversized switchgear. —Kevin Smith, Car and Driver, 4 Mar. 2023

My teenage memories of the mall are soaked in neon light, with essential stops at the Vans store, Hot Topic and Game Stop. —Ryan Fonsecastaff Writer, Los Angeles Times, 2 Mar. 2023

What to Consider: The neon colors may not be everyone’s preference and there’s no padding in the seat. —Rena Behar, Travel + Leisure, 1 Mar. 2023

The simple-yet-vibrant music video shows the two acts performing the track live, surrounded by neon lights and luxurious cars. —Jessica Roiz, Billboard, 17 Feb. 2023

Players accustomed to the neon lights of Kamurochō may be put off by the new setting and historical references may fly over some heads. —Brittany Vincent, Rolling Stone, 17 Feb. 2023

Adjective

Fruity Sandwich cookies from Kroger were blindingly neon and surprisingly tasty. —Hallie Lieberman, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Apr. 2022

Instead of a Torah ark, the crates face a pink-and-green neon sign: a cricket inside a heart. —Anna Kordunsky, The New Yorker, 28 May 2020

On a normal night, storefronts light up the street with neon signs, beckoning customers with promises of trinkets or ice cold beer. —Laura Schulte, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, 22 May 2020

The building’s other neon sign is attached to the side and advertises the parking spaces. —Jon Arnold, Dallas News, 8 May 2020

While Death Stranding might as well explain itself with giant neon signs, its themes and setting are eerily prescient right now. —Ars Staff, Ars Technica, 25 Apr. 2020

Piece by piece, the Prescott Valley Motel neon sign that glowed for decades was taken down by a crane this month, making way for a Circle K gas station to open where the motel once stood. —Kimi Robinson, azcentral, 14 Apr. 2020

Mayor London Breed joined more than 400 people at Islais Creek Park in the morning and rallied the crowd in their neon orange vests. —Lauren Hernández, SFChronicle.com, 21 Sep. 2019

Obviously enjoying Labor Day weekend, Kim also shared a photo of North hanging out with her friends, all of whom coordinated their looks by wearing neon outfits. —Amy Mackelden, Harper's BAZAAR, 2 Sep. 2019

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Word History

Etymology

Noun

borrowed from Greek néon, neuter of néos "young, fresh, new" — more at new entry 1

Note: Name given to the gas by its discoverers, the British chemists William Ramsay (1852-1916) and Morris William Travers (1872-1961) in "On the Companion of Argon," Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, vol. 63 (1898), p. 438. According to a later account by Travers, the Latin name novum, "new," for the gas was suggested by William Ramsay's 13-year old son, and rendered in Greek by Ramsay to match the names of other recently discovered gases (see Morris W. Travers, The Discovery of the Rare Gases, London, 1928, p. 96).

First Known Use

Noun

1898, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1904, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

neon

1 of 2 noun

ne·​on ˈnē-ˌän 

1

: a colorless odorless gaseous element found in very small amounts in air and used in electric lamps see element

2

a

: a lamp in which the gas contains a large amount of neon that gives a reddish glow when a current is passed through it

b

: a sign composed of such lamps

neon

2 of 2 adjective

1

: of, relating to, or using neon

neon lights

2

: extremely bright : fluorescent

neon yellow

Medical Definition

neon

noun

ne·​on ˈnē-ˌän 

: a colorless odorless primarily inert gaseous element found in minute amounts in air and used in electric lamps

—symbol Ne see Chemical Elements Table