fanlight

[fan-lahyt]

noun

1. a window over a door or another window, especially one having the form of a semicircle or of half an ellipse.

fanlight

/ ˈfænˌlaɪt /

noun

1. a semicircular window over a door or window, often having sash bars like the ribs of a fan

2. US name: transom. a small rectangular window over a door

3. another name for skylight

Word History and Origins

Origin of fanlight¹

First recorded in 1835–45; fan ¹ + light ¹

Example Sentences

We stopped in front of the heavy wooden door, whose stained-glass fanlight formed a grinning skull and crossbones.

From Literature

We could tell it was Federal style by the symmetrical design with porticos supported by Ionic columns, fanlights over the doors and keystone lintels.

From Washington Post

An arched entrance to the house has a fanlight in a delicately ornamented keystone surround.

From Washington Post

A colonnade, parapet wall and fanlight windows tie the new building to the look and feel of the White House.

From Seattle Times

A colonnade, parapet wall and fanlight windows tie the new building to the look and feel of the White House.

From Washington Times