searchlight

[surch-lahyt]

noun

1. a device, usually consisting of a light lights and reflector, for throwing a beam of light lights in any direction.

2. a beam of light lights so thrown.

searchlight

/ ˈsɜːtʃˌlaɪt /

noun

1. a device, consisting of a light source and a reflecting surface behind it, that projects a powerful beam of light in a particular direction

2. the beam of light produced by such a device

Word History and Origins

Origin of searchlight¹

First recorded in 1880–85; search + light ¹

Example Sentences

At night, crews trained a searchlight across dark waters infested with so-called growlers—low-floating chunks of ice the size of trucks that can puncture ships.

Read more on The Wall Street Journal

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem shared a propaganda video of the raid which featured dramatic music and images of the helicopters and their searchlights, ICE agents kicking down doors, and people being led away under arrest.

Read more on Salon

The city’s signature palm trees stand tall, while Easter eggs like the sweeping searchlights of a Hollywood premiere reveal themselves on a second glance.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

It seemed they were coming from almost every direction, as searchlights raked the sky and skeins of orange tracer fire rose from air defence units stationed around the city.

Read more on BBC

The methods used by exasperated zoo-keepers included trying to dazzle the bird with a fire brigade searchlight before nabbing him when he was distracted.

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Related Words

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