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

Examples of neon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Megan's pink of choice isn't cotton candy pink, pastel baby pink, or deep raspberry pink, but rather a true neon hue. —Kara Nesvig, Allure, 2 May 2025

But after dark, its red and green neon sign casts a glow onto East Houston Street as negronis fly from its zinc and Formica bar, akin to a scene from Jay McInerney’s Bright Lights, Big City. —Elise Taylor, Vogue, 2 May 2025

Adjective

With its neon Japanese signage, the area feels a bit like Tokyo’s Akihabara neighborhood, known for its busy storefronts selling electronics, anime merch, and video games. —Mae Hamilton, AFAR Media, 1 May 2025

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

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

Rhymes for neon

• dione
• freon
• actaeon

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