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droplight

American

[drop-lahyt] / ˈdrɒpˌlaɪt /

noun

an electric or gas lamp suspended from the ceiling or wall by a flexible cord or tube.

droplight British

/ ˈdrɒpˌlaɪt /

noun

an electric light that may be raised or lowered by means of a pulley or other mechanism

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of droplight

An Americanism dating back to 1860–65; drop + light ¹

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.

GWR did not produce a written risk assessment until September 2017, but that assessment found droplight windows to be one of the most significant passenger safety risks.

From BBC • Oct. 4, 2025

Since Ms Roper's death, measures have been introduced across the rail industry to prevent passengers leaning out of droplight windows.

From BBC • Oct. 4, 2025

They sat in the library after dinner and read the evening papers together under the droplight, while the younger people went into the drawing room near by and talked.

From "The Awakening" by Kate Chopin

Aunt Cordelia relaxing her attention for the moment turned to speak to Uncle Charlie who was reading his paper by the droplight.

From Emmy Lou's Road to Grace Being a Little Pilgrim's Progress by Martin, George Madden

"Strange," said Yerrington, looking somberly at the droplight, "that no one saw him pacing there."

From The Black Eagle Mystery by Bonner, Geraldine

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023