blinker
Americannoun
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blinkers
plural
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a device for flashing light signals.
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a light that flashes intermittently, especially one that serves as a traffic signal.
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either of two leather flaps on a bridle, to prevent a horse from seeing sideways; a blinder.
verb (used with object)
noun
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a flashing light for sending messages, as a warning device, etc, such as a direction indicator on a road vehicle
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(often plural) a slang word for eye 1
verb
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to provide (a horse) with blinkers
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to obscure with or as if with blinkers
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of blinker
Explanation
Any flashing light can be called a blinker, but it usually refers to the turn signal on a car. Before you suddenly turn left, be sure to put your blinker on. A light that blinks on and off is a blinker, and it may be used to signal your plans to change direction in a car, or to send some kind of signal. Another meaning of the word is "blinder," a kind of eye patch that's used in horse racing to block the horse's peripheral vision so it won't get distracted. To blinker a horse is to attach blinkers to its harness.
Vocabulary lists containing blinker
Unit 4, Week 1
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The Black Stallion
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Jennifer Chan Is Not Alone
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Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
See Examples For:
Realizing it was in a must-turn-right lane, the Waymo flicked on its left blinker, wavered toward the middle lane, changed its mind, and turned right—away from the hotel.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Aug. 4, 2026
What is not supposed to happen is you turning on your left blinker light.
From Seattle Times ● Jan. 21, 2024
“The ships don’t just turn on their left-hand blinker and make a left turn back to Los Angeles. It takes a little bit of work,” Seroka said.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 15, 2023
Image: Blue Tiger I also spotted this upcoming POC Omne Eternal bike helmet, which uses the cells to power a flashing rear safety blinker.
From The Verge ● Aug. 17, 2022
She switched her blinker on as she made another right, signaling her turn to no one in particular.
From "The Darkest Minds" by Alexandra Bracken
But even he has blinkers on: Yes, 1975 might have been a great, great time in New York, despite garbage strikes, crime rates and municipal bankruptcy.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 18, 2025
“I’ll keep the blinkers on, put on the hat and just get in the ring.”
From Seattle Times ● Mar. 16, 2023
On Saturday evening, Owen Farrell - so forward-focused he might as well be in blinkers - may finally allow himself to reflect.
From BBC ● Nov. 17, 2022
That, plus the addition of blinkers, is not enough to help him here.
From New York Times ● May 19, 2022
When it was safe to cruise ahead, Pa put on his blinkers and turned left toward Atlantic Avenue.
From "P.S. Be Eleven" by Rita Williams-Garcia
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Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
