lamp

noun

ˈlamp 

1

a

: any of various devices for producing light or sometimes heat: such as

(1)

: a vessel with a wick for burning an inflammable liquid (such as oil) to produce light

(2)

: a glass bulb or tube that emits light produced by electricity (such as an incandescent light bulb or fluorescent lamp)

b

: a decorative appliance housing a lamp that is usually covered by a shade

2

: a celestial body

3

: a source of intellectual or spiritual illumination

4

: eye sense 1a

—usually used in plural

Synonyms

• beacon
• illuminant
• light

Examples of lamp in a Sentence

I didn't realize it had gotten so dark in the room until my wife came in and turned on the lamp, momentarily blinding me.

Recent Examples on the Web

The table lamp adds an analogous touch by pairing colors that are next to each other on the color wheel: yellow and orange. —Leanne Potts, Better Homes & Gardens, 10 Jan. 2025

Mi-Mo Pixar’s logo, Luxo Jr., is an anthropomorphic desk lamp that is by turns cute and creepy. —Chandra Steele, PCMAG, 10 Jan. 2025

That Leaves Floors ‘Cleaner Than Ever’ Is Only $110 at Amazon Today Hearth & Hand with Magnolia Scalloped Brass Clip Light This mini lamp is crafted from eye-catching metal. —Jamie Allison Sanders, People.com, 10 Jan. 2025

The wallpaper and matching lamps throughout the space will feature illustrations inspired by Ludwig Bemelmans’ signature style, interwoven with exclusive Mytheresa elements. —Lisa Lockwood, WWD, 8 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, from Anglo-French lampe, from Latin lampas, from Greek, from lampein to shine; akin to Hittite lap- to burn

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Phrases Containing lamp

• arc lamp
• compact fluorescent lamp
• discharge lamp
• floor lamp
• fluorescent lamp
• fog lamp
• glow lamp
• incandescent lamp
• lava lamp
• mercury-vapor lamp
• oil lamp
• quartz-iodine lamp
• safety lamp
• smoking lamp
• sodium-vapor lamp
• standard lamp
• student lamp

Kids Definition

lamp

noun

ˈlamp 

: a device for producing light or heat

Medical Definition

lamp

noun

ˈlamp 

: any of various devices for producing light or heat see kromayer lamp, slit lamp