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
“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
The car will be honking, with blinker and hazard lights flashing, according to Mazda, although the exact warning signals are still undecided.
From Seattle Times ● Nov. 3, 2021
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
Back on the other side of town back near Union Station, two cars stopped at the station with their blinkers on during a Thursday afternoon stop.
From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 25, 2026
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
In June last year, a Chinese navy vessel flashed blue lights and blinkers at a Philippine coastguard tugboat, the Philippine Daily Inquirer reported.
From BBC ● Feb. 13, 2023
That, plus the addition of blinkers, is not enough to help him here.
From New York Times ● May 19, 2022
Mulling over the loss to Rosemont, he took out Seabiscuit’s blinkers and a pocketknife and cut small holes in the back of each eye cup, giving the horse two rearview windows.
From "Seabiscuit: An American Legend" by Laura Hillenbrand
Definitions 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.
