lighter

1 of 3

noun (1)

ligh·​ter ˈlī-tər How to pronounce lighter (audio)
: a large usually flat-bottomed barge used especially in unloading or loading ships

lighter

2 of 3

verb

lightered; lightering; lighters

transitive verb

: to convey by a lighter

lighter

3 of 3

noun (2)

light·​er ˈlī-tər How to pronounce lighter (audio)
1
: one that lights or sets a fire
2
: a device for lighting a fire
especially : a mechanical or electrical device used for lighting cigarettes, cigars, or pipes

Examples of lighter in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
The proposed county ordinance would also create new limits on carrying fire-starting materials, such as lighters, and ban people from removing vegetation in riverbeds or canyons. Blake Nelson, San Diego Union-Tribune, 11 Mar. 2025 Correction officers recovered the rope and found contraband wrapped in duct tape all along its length — including a large quantity of Suboxone and nearly 30 small bags of pot, plus a scalpel, cell phone charger, two lighters, and more than 400 cigarettes. John Annese, New York Daily News, 10 Mar. 2025 As coworkers and relatives chimed in with memories of Bjorklund, some attendees at the vigil passed lighters around to make sure everyone’s memorial candle remained lit. Ilana Arougheti, Kansas City Star, 7 Mar. 2025 The other four red tags were for code enforcement violations — not involving gas leaks or carbon monoxide — involving a water heater and gas log lighters installed in three fireplaces. Christina Dugan Ramirez, Fox News, 4 Mar. 2025 See All Example Sentences for lighter

Word History

Etymology

Noun (1)

Middle English, from Middle Dutch *lichter, from lichten to unload; akin to Old English lēoht light in weight

First Known Use

Noun (1)

14th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb

1677, in the meaning defined above

Noun (2)

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of lighter was in the 14th century

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Cite this Entry

“Lighter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lighter. Accessed 31 Mar. 2025.

Kids Definition

lighter

1 of 3 noun
ligh·​ter ˈlīt-ər How to pronounce lighter (audio)
: a large barge used especially in unloading or loading ships

lighter

2 of 3 verb
: to carry by a lighter

lighter

3 of 3 noun
light·​er
ˈlīt-ər
: one that lights
especially : a device for lighting
a cigarette lighter
Etymology

Noun

Middle English lighter "boat"; of Dutch origin

Noun

from 3light and -er

More from Merriam-Webster on lighter

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