Illustration of light bulb
- 1 bulb containing gas
- 2 filament
- 3 connecting and supporting wires
- 4 exhaust tube
- 5 screw base
- 6 base contact
light bulb
noun
variants
or lightbulb
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
Examples of light bulb in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Keep Light Bulbs From Sticking Outdoor light bulbs can have a knack for sticking in the socket after long periods of time, leaving you with the task of trying to unscrew a stubborn bulb without breaking the glass.
—
Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2025
Every light bulb has been removed, whether by looters or by soldiers.
—New York Times, 22 Mar. 2025
After watching hearings of a chief usher of the White House testifying before Congress during the Clinton administration and describing the White House rooms, Davies had a light bulb moment to bring the Clue board game to life.
—Lexy Perez, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Mar. 2025
The light bulb appears to have flashed on for the world’s collectors in August 2022 when an original iPhone set a world record price of $35,414.
—Mike Hanlon, New Atlas, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for light bulb
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Kaitlyn Yarborough, Southern Living, 4 Apr. 2025
Every light bulb has been removed, whether by looters or by soldiers.
—New York Times, 22 Mar. 2025
After watching hearings of a chief usher of the White House testifying before Congress during the Clinton administration and describing the White House rooms, Davies had a light bulb moment to bring the Clue board game to life.
—Lexy Perez, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Mar. 2025
The light bulb appears to have flashed on for the world’s collectors in August 2022 when an original iPhone set a world record price of $35,414.
—Mike Hanlon, New Atlas, 3 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for light bulb
Cite this Entry
“Light bulb.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/light%20bulb. Accessed 16 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids 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
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