lamplighter

[lamp-lahy-ter]

noun

1. a person employed to light and extinguish street lamps, especially those burning gas.

2. a contrivance for lighting lamps.

lamplighter

/ ˈlæmpˌlaɪtə /

noun

1. (formerly) a person who lit and extinguished street lamps, esp gas ones

2. any of various devices used to light lamps

Word History and Origins

Origin of lamplighter¹

First recorded in 1740–50; lamp + lighter ¹

Example Sentences

For example, the use of electricity, he said, led to the displacement of lamplighters but created jobs for electricians.

From Los Angeles Times

Le Carré, who died last year, also developed his own colorful glossary of spy terms — pavement artists, babysitters, lamplighters and, most famously, moles.

From New York Times

During the 19th and 20th centuries, some lamplighters and blacksmiths became obsolete, but more people were able to make a living as electricians and car dealers.

From New York Times

The books took his readers deep into "the circus" with jargon such as "honey trap", "mole" and "lamplighter" becoming common parlance.

From BBC

Skaters, musicians and chess players by the Washington Arch stopped and stared as we passed, holding our plastic candles and following an imposing lamplighter in a bowler hat.

From New York Times