: a resting stage of a plant (such as the lily, onion, hyacinth, or tulip) that is usually formed underground and consists of a short stem base bearing one or more buds enclosed in overlapping membranous or fleshy leaves
b
: a fleshy structure (such as a tuber or corm) resembling a bulb in appearance
c
: a plant having or developing from a bulb
2
: a bulb-shaped part
specifically: a glass envelope enclosing the light source of an electric lamp or such an envelope together with the light source it encloses
3
: a rounded or swollen anatomical structure
4
: a camera setting that indicates that the shutter can be opened by pressing on the release and closed by ending the pressure
… a large underground rhizome, a bulblike growth that extends massive roots from its underside. —Elizabeth Schneider
Illustration of bulb
1 hyacinth
2 onion
3 tulip
4 lily
Examples of bulb in a Sentence
the bulb of the thermometer
Recent Examples on the WebGrab the 25-foot long string lights with Edison bulbs for $14, then hang them up to enjoy your outdoor space through the night.—Isabel Garcia, Peoplemag, 27 May 2024 The bioluminescent bulb at the tip of the fish’s stalk is called an esca.—Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 21 May 2024 Cut off the top 1/2 inch of a garlic bulb to expose ends of individual cloves.—Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, 20 May 2024 When electric bulbs were introduced, the lamplighters kept their jobs because each streetlight had to be switched on individually.—Jeremy Kahn, Fortune, 19 May 2024 See all Example Sentences for bulb
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word '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
Etymology
Middle English, from Latin bulbus, from Greek bolbos bulbous plant
: an underground resting stage of a plant (as an onion or tulip) consisting of a short stem base bearing one or more buds enclosed in overlapping leaves
b
: a fleshy structure (as a tuber or corm) resembling a bulb in appearance or function
2
: a rounded object or part shaped more or less like a bulb
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