lantern

American  

[lan-tern] / ˈlæn tərn /

noun

lanterns plural

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.

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lantern British  

/ 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

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• lanterns
  plural

Etymology

Origin of lantern

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

Explanation

A lantern is an old-fashioned hand-held light, like the kind you might go looking for ghosts with. There are also modern ones — a lantern is any hand-held light with a see-through case. No ghosts necessary. Some lanterns have an actual flame inside, but others are battery operated, like flashlights, but lanterns usually provide more light. There are also paper lanterns, which are fun for parties, and if you use a pumpkin you have yourself a jack o’ lantern. Lantern comes from the Latin lanterna, "lantern, lamp, or torch," and shares the Greek root lampein, "to shine," with the English word lamp.

Example Sentences

“I think that the Notch is the most Scotch-like American single malt in flavor profile,” said Adam Polonski, co-founder of bottling house Lost Lantern Whiskey.

From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 16, 2026

“This ring? It’s the greatest weapon in the universe,” Kyle Chandler’s veteran superhero says to John Stewart, the new Lantern recruit played by Aaron Pierre.

From Los Angeles Times • May 18, 2026

“Lanterns” also features Kelly Macdonald as a local no-nonsense sheriff with ties to the community, as well as Nathan Fillion as Guy Gardner, a Green Lantern introduced in “Superman.”

From Los Angeles Times • May 13, 2026

Lantern and other tools are constantly discovering new approaches or vulnerabilities, while censors such as Iran discover new ways to shut them down.

From Barron's • Mar. 20, 2026

Go to bed early and read my stash of comic books, the ones I found in the shed about The Flash and Green Lantern and Batman before he was a movie.

From "The Young Man and the Sea" by Rodman Philbrick

Related Words

• beacon
• flashlight
• kerosene lamp
• torch