lamp

American  

[lamp] / læmp /

noun

• lamps
  plural

1. any of various devices furnishing artificial light, as by electricity or gas.

2. a container for an inflammable liquid, as oil, which is burned at a wick as a means of illumination.

3. a source of intellectual or spiritual light.

   the lamp of learning.

4. any of various devices furnishing heat, ultraviolet, or other radiation.

   an infrared lamp.

5. a celestial body that gives off light, as the moon or a star.

6. a torch.

7. Slang. lamps, the eyes.

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verb (used with object)

1. Slang. to look at; eye.

idioms

1. smell of the lamp, to give evidence of laborious study or effort.

   His dissertation smells of the lamp.

lamp British  

/ læmp /

noun

1. 1. any of a number of devices that produce illumination

      an electric lamp

      a gas lamp

      an oil lamp

   2. ( in combination )

      lampshade

2. a device for holding one or more electric light bulbs

   a table lamp

3. a vessel in which a liquid fuel is burned to supply illumination

4. any of a variety of devices that produce radiation, esp for therapeutic purposes

   an ultraviolet lamp

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• lampless
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• lamps
  plural

Etymology

Origin of lamp

1150–1200; Middle English lampe < Old French < Late Latin lampada, for Latin lampas (stem lampad- ) < Greek lampás lamp; akin to lámpē torch, lamp, lámpein to shine

Explanation

A lamp is a small appliance that holds an electric bulb and produces light. Your desk lamp might provide enough light for you to read by at night, or you may have to turn on a floor lamp too after the sun goes down. Today, most lamps use electricity and a light bulb to shine the light that we all need to work and live comfortably after daylight fades. There are also older-style oil lamps and gas lamps, which are more typically described as lanterns. The Greek root of lamp is lampas, "torch or beacon" and also "meteor," from lampein, "to shine."

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

lamp lamps

A mechanical arm emerged from the top, ending in what he described as a giant lamp head.

From Slate ● Sep. 22, 2026

The Green Lantern, whose ring is powered by an emerald lamp, “manifests” whatever he needs.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 14, 2026

Cundiff compares the effect to a lighthouse that sweeps a beam across the horizon as its lamp rotates.

From Science Daily ● Jul. 28, 2026

A £656.94 Dyson lamp bought from John Lewis was also found in the corner of a room next to a wall lined with bookshelves.

From BBC ● Jun. 23, 2026

I could see it now beneath her long wool cape, glittering in the light of the lamp as she raised her arm.

From "The Hiding Place" by Corrie ten Boom

Residents rely on portable lamps, rechargeable lights and cellphone flashlights as temperatures remain oppressive deep into the night.

From Barron's ● Sep. 26, 2026

The blue-lit monotony of every day is replaced by warm amber table lamps and dimly lit corners flanked by books on all sides.

From Salon ● Sep. 7, 2026

Specialty lamps are already sold for other biological purposes, including helping people cope with disruptions to natural circadian rhythms such as jet lag.

From Science Daily ● Aug. 26, 2026

The modular couch is anchored on each side with Art-Deco influenced side tables, lamps and light blue slipper chairs he designed, setting up a cozy tableau for hosting his friends.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 26, 2026

Like their parkas and boots, the kerosene for their lamps, their fishing gear and woodstove.

From "I Survived the Great Alaska Earthquake, 1964" by Lauren Tarshis

Related Words

• flashlight
• light