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

But then a smaller light—a flashlight? a penlight?—clicked on, hovering over Jonah’s desk.

From Literature

He put up a satellite dish, and a solar panel to charge the batteries for a flashlight, a cell phone, and a laptop computer.

From Literature

When a Wall Street Journal team visited the plant recently following the latest bombardment, workers moved through soot-covered halls with flashlights to examine the severely damaged facility.

From The Wall Street Journal

In their free hands they carried heavy-duty flashlights.

From Literature

"I remember it! Every bit of the Morse code! Let me find a flashlight, and I'll show you!"

From Literature

Related Words

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