lantern

noun

lan·​tern ˈlan-tərn 

often attributive

1

: a usually portable protective case for a light with transparent openings compare chinese lantern

2

a

obsolete : lighthouse

b

: the chamber in a lighthouse containing the light

c

: a structure with glazed or open sides above an opening in a roof for light or ventilation

d

: a small tower or cupola or one stage of a cupola

3

: projector sense 2b

Examples of lantern in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Standing at nine meters tall on Carlos Place, the tree is bedecked with 90 eye-catching, bespoke lanterns, each one made from aluminium and hand painted with a silver coating. —Joanne Shurvell, Forbes, 28 Nov. 2024

Rechargeable glow-in-the-dark collapsible lantern: on sale for $22.50 Original price: $45 Spending time outdoors often means spending time in the dark. —Christopher Murray, Fox News, 27 Nov. 2024

This lantern was erected by James Wells Engineer, John Westwood Millwright, James Brodie Engineer, David Scott Labourer, of the firm of James Milne & Son Engineers, Milton House Works, Edinburgh, during the months from May to September and relighted on Thursday night 15th Sept. 1892. —Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 26 Nov. 2024

The mural features a man carrying a music case in one hand and a lantern pointed towards the Milwaukee skyline in the other. —Cailey Gleeson, Journal Sentinel, 25 Nov. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English lanterne, from Anglo-French, from Latin lanterna, from Greek lamptēr, from lampein to shine — more at lamp

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing lantern

• Chinese lantern
• dark lantern
• friar's lantern
• jack-o'-lantern
• lantern fish
• lantern fly
• lantern jaw
• magic lantern
• spotted lantern fly

Kids Definition

lantern

noun

lan·​tern ˈlant-ərn 

1

: a usually portable light with a protective covering

2

: projector