light bulb

noun

variants or lightbulb

ˈlīt-ˌbəlb 

plural light bulbs or lightbulbs

: an electric lamp: such as

a

: one in which a filament gives off light when heated to incandescence by an electric current

called also incandescent, incandescent lamp

b

: one having a coating of fluorescent material on its inner surface that emits visible light : fluorescent lamp

especially : compact fluorescent light

c

: one using LEDs to generate light

Illustration of light bulb

• 1 bulb containing gas
• 2 filament
• 3 connecting and supporting wires
• 4 exhaust tube
• 5 screw base
• 6 base contact

Examples of light bulb in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The best way to understand the effect solar storms have on our planet is to think of the atmosphere as akin to the gas in a fluorescent light bulb. —Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 15 May 2024

The APIs allow access to most devices connected to Google Home and to the Google Home structure, letting apps control and manage devices such as Matter light bulbs or the Nest Learning Thermostat. —Jennifer Pattison Tuohy, The Verge, 15 May 2024

These could include a series of videos about costume design, sustainable fabric dying, or the hundreds of light bulbs in the auditorium that require replacing. —Sabah Meddings, Fortune Europe, 4 May 2024

Some members help maintain green spaces in city parks and others visit residents’ homes around the community and install water and electric upgrades, like LED light bulbs, caulking and low-flow faucets. —Ashley Miznazi, Miami Herald, 2 May 2024

The British entrepreneur’s second light bulb moment came on a family day out with his two kids at a VR experience on a wet Sunday afternoon. —Orianna Rosa Royle, Fortune Europe, 24 Mar. 2024

In his experiment, Sener conducted three trials with two different light bulb wattages, 50 watts and 100 watts. —Taylor Nicioli, CNN, 8 Mar. 2024

Look through your solar glasses at a glowing light bulb. —John Tufts, The Indianapolis Star, 29 Feb. 2024

The roughly 8,000-square-foot space is lined with cleaning supplies, light bulbs, toilet seats, paints, and hardware and bolts. —Brianna Taylor, Sacramento Bee, 23 Jan. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1885, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

lightbulb

noun

light·​bulb ˈlīt-ˌbəlb 

: an electric lamp: as

a

: one in which a filament gives off light when heated by an electric current

called also incandescent lamp

b

: fluorescent lamp