lantern

[lan-tern]

noun

1. a transparent or translucent, usually portable, case for enclosing a light and protecting it from the wind, rain, etc.

2. the chamber at the top of a lighthouse, surrounding the light.

3. magic lantern.

4. Architecture.

   1. a tall, more or less open construction admitting light to an enclosed area below.

   2. any light, decorative structure of relatively small size crowning a roof, dome, etc.

   3. an open-sided structure on a roof to let out smoke or to assist ventilation.

5. a light, usually over the entrance to an elevator on each floor of a multistory building, that signals the approach of the elevator.

lantern

/ ˈlæntən /

noun

1. a light with a transparent or translucent protective case

2. a structure on top of a dome or roof having openings or windows to admit light or air

3. the upper part of a lighthouse that houses the light

4. photog short for magic lantern

Word History and Origins

Origin of lantern¹

1250–1300; Middle English lanterne < Latin lanterna (< Etruscan ) < Greek lamptḗr lamp, light

Word History and Origins

Origin of lantern¹

C13: from Latin lanterna, from Greek lamptēr lamp, from lampein to shine

Example Sentences

Paper lanterns were laid across the courtyard, as they had been at a public viewing of Armani's body in Milan earlier this month, with the models walking under the portico.

From BBC

"It was really early, before sunrise, in bad visibility conditions with just a simple lantern to light up the terrain which was difficult and slippery," he said.

From BBC

Make sure you pack multiple light sources, including headlamps and lanterns, and if they are not solar-powered, don’t forget the batteries.

From Los Angeles Times

Then she took out lanterns for us to pose with in the moonlight.

From Los Angeles Times

Long before the luminescent spectacle awed viewers of Disney’s 2010 film “Tangled,” real-life lantern festivals have been taking place around the world.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• beacon 
• flashlight 
• kerosene lamp www.thesaurus.com
• torch