flashlight
Americannoun
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flashlights
plural
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especially British, torch. a small, portable electric lamp powered by dry batteries, LEDs, or a tiny generator.
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a light that flashes, such as a lighthouse beacon.
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any source of artificial light as used in flash photography.
noun
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Also called (in Britain and certain other countries): torch. a small portable electric lamp powered by one or more dry batteries
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Sometimes shortened to: flash. photog the brief bright light emitted by an electronic flash unit
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a light that flashes, used for signalling, in a lighthouse, etc
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of flashlight
Explanation
A flashlight is a light that's small enough to hold in your hand and carry around. When you're camping, it's useful to bring a flashlight so you can find your sleeping bag in the dark tent. Most flashlights are powered with batteries, although some of them can be charged in the sun and use the stored solar energy for power. All flashlights are portable, basically small lamps that fit easily in your hand, your pocket, or your backpack. In Britain, a flashlight is often called a torch. The earliest versions of flashlights were invented around 1899.
Vocabulary lists containing flashlight
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Example Sentences
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See Examples For:
They were still inspecting the damage by flashlight and Israeli security services were still present when the settlers attacked again, according to the family and the lawyer.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Sep. 29, 2026
Its light sweeps across the surface almost like a flashlight lying flat on a table.
From Science Daily ● Aug. 25, 2026
The rescuers formed a human chain in the pitch black, using only a small flashlight.
From Barron's ● Jul. 4, 2026
They have complicated relationships, but there’s nothing better for ironing things out than creeping together through dark tunnels by flashlight, hoping that nothing jumps out at you, engaging in weightless banter as you go.
From Los Angeles Times ● May 21, 2026
Her phone flashlight dies, but thankfully the storm sounds like it’s winding down.
From "Legendary Frybread Drive-In" by Cynthia Leitich Smith
In some cases, you can even find vehicle-inspired first-aid kits that include items such as emergency blankets, flashlights, road flares, emergency markers, and more.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 20, 2026
Other images showed rescue workers with flashlights sifting through rubble.
From Barron's ● Aug. 1, 2026
County schools had to be issued flashlights to help children on their way to school.
From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 22, 2026
Ultraviolet flashlights attracted only a small number of isopods and never triggered the swirling formations.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 6, 2026
Once they’d stopped at a store and picked up some flashlights and bottled water, they were ready to go.
From "City Spies" by James Ponti
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