headlight

[ hed-lahyt ]

noun

1. a light lights or lamp, usually equipped with a reflector, on the front of an automobile, locomotive, etc.

headlight

/ ˈhɛdˌlaɪt /

noun

1. See quartz-iodine lamp
   a powerful light, equipped with a reflector and attached to the front of a motor vehicle, locomotive, etc See also quartz-iodine lamp

Word History and Origins

Origin of headlight¹

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

Example Sentences

We stood on its head for several minutes, watching tiny headlights pierce the twilight below.

From Washington Post

Base models boast LED headlights, heated outside mirrors and smartphone compatibility.

From Washington Blade

Hospitals have frozen, like deer in the headlights, and put in place questionable policies.

From Fortune

The larger model, which is slated to have working headlights and taillights, sold out within hours.

From Ars Technica

The teal color is a nice touch, as are the lighted headlights.

From Washington Blade

As he drove through the headlight-broken darkness now, other cars passed him bringing other men home from other jobs.

From The Daily Beast

So if you are stopped for jaywalking or driving with a broken headlight, the police can ask to see your papers.

From The Daily Beast

Away off to the southwest a bright light showed briefly—the headlight of a Santa Fe train, he guessed it must be.

From Project Gutenberg

One of the men stood on the track waving the red lantern; we could see him plainly in the glare of the headlight.

From Project Gutenberg

Close below the headlight was a moving shadow they finally made out as company men, they could not tell how many.

From Project Gutenberg

As the train rolled up, the headlight flashing far down the track and the steam hissing from the engine, I turned weak all over.

From Project Gutenberg

The pilot doubled back into the ponies, and the headlight was scoured with nut, pea, and slack; but the stack was hardly bruised.

From Project Gutenberg

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