flashlight

American  

[flash-lahyt] / ˈflæʃˌlaɪt /

noun

1. especially British, torch.  a small, portable electric lamp powered by dry batteries, LEDs, or a tiny generator.

2. a light that flashes, such as a lighthouse beacon.

3. any source of artificial light as used in flash photography.

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flashlight British  

/ ˈflæʃˌlaɪt /

noun

1. Also called (in Britain and certain other countries): torch.  a small portable electric lamp powered by one or more dry batteries

2. Sometimes shortened to: flash.  photog the brief bright light emitted by an electronic flash unit

3. a light that flashes, used for signalling, in a lighthouse, etc

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Etymology

Origin of flashlight

First recorded in 1885–90; flash + light ¹

Example Sentences

He has a notebook, a pen, a flashlight and about 15 hours’ worth of oxygen.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 27, 2026

But the case was a small flashlight that cast a wide beam, revealing how the insurance industry views its own business and you, the customer.

From MarketWatch • Mar. 20, 2026

In experiments using mice, Edwards showed that this cancer detecting "flashlight" clearly illuminated tumors that produced EphA2.

From Science Daily • Mar. 16, 2026

“Maybe I’m corny but with Sienna, less is really more. Her voice is so special, so big and upfront, that you just want to put a giant flashlight on it and let it shine.”

From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 6, 2026

We entered the gloomy little building, and the man switched off the flashlight.

From "Flying Through Water" by Mamle Wolo

Related Words

• fame
• light
• limelight
• notoriety
• public eye
• publicity