: a large usually flat-bottomed barge used especially in unloading or loading ships
Examples of lighter in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Tory Johnson, ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
In court, his siblings testified that Gabriel had been beaten with a wooden club and a broomstick, and tortured with pepper spray, Icy Hot, a metal hanger, a belt, lighters and BB guns, among other objects.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026
The rope from outside was wrapped in duct tape, packed with pieces of paper covered in synthetic cannabis, more than 100 strips of buprenorphine, about 27 bags of marijuana, wrapping paper, more than 400 cigarettes, two lighters, a scalpel and a cellphone charging cord and plug.
—John Annese, New York Daily News, 29 Mar. 2026
From the custom zippo lighters and iconic table lamps to our classic Avocado Louie, Chicken Pot Pie, truffle lasagna, and caviar macarons—the excitement to evolve those details year after year, while having fun entertaining 1,500 celebratory guests, was incredible.
—Elise Taylor, Vanity Fair, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lighter
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Noun
Light up with eco-conscious rechargeable lighters from USB Lighter Co.
—Tory Johnson, ABC News, 2 Apr. 2026
In court, his siblings testified that Gabriel had been beaten with a wooden club and a broomstick, and tortured with pepper spray, Icy Hot, a metal hanger, a belt, lighters and BB guns, among other objects.
—Clara Harter, Los Angeles Times, 31 Mar. 2026
The rope from outside was wrapped in duct tape, packed with pieces of paper covered in synthetic cannabis, more than 100 strips of buprenorphine, about 27 bags of marijuana, wrapping paper, more than 400 cigarettes, two lighters, a scalpel and a cellphone charging cord and plug.
—John Annese, New York Daily News, 29 Mar. 2026
From the custom zippo lighters and iconic table lamps to our classic Avocado Louie, Chicken Pot Pie, truffle lasagna, and caviar macarons—the excitement to evolve those details year after year, while having fun entertaining 1,500 celebratory guests, was incredible.
—Elise Taylor, Vanity Fair, 3 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for lighter
Cite this Entry
“Lighter.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lighter. Accessed 4 Apr. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
lighter
1 of 3 noun
ligh·ter
ˈlīt-ər 
: 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
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