lantern

American  

[lan-tern] / ˈlæn tərn /

noun

• lanterns
  plural

1. a transparent or translucent, usually portable, case for enclosing a light and protecting it from the wind, rain, etc.

2. the chamber at the top of a lighthouse, surrounding the light.

3. magic lantern.

4. Architecture.

   1. a tall, more or less open construction admitting light to an enclosed area below.

   2. any light, decorative structure of relatively small size crowning a roof, dome, etc.

   3. an open-sided structure on a roof to let out smoke or to assist ventilation.

5. a light, usually over the entrance to an elevator on each floor of a multistory building, that signals the approach of the elevator.

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lantern British  

/ ˈlæntən /

noun

1. a light with a transparent or translucent protective case

2. a structure on top of a dome or roof having openings or windows to admit light or air

3. the upper part of a lighthouse that houses the light

4. photog short for magic lantern

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• lanterns
  plural

Etymology

Origin of lantern

1250–1300; Middle English lanterne < Latin lanterna (< Etruscan ) < Greek lamptḗr lamp, light

Explanation

A lantern is an old-fashioned hand-held light, like the kind you might go looking for ghosts with. There are also modern ones — a lantern is any hand-held light with a see-through case. No ghosts necessary. Some lanterns have an actual flame inside, but others are battery operated, like flashlights, but lanterns usually provide more light. There are also paper lanterns, which are fun for parties, and if you use a pumpkin you have yourself a jack o’ lantern. Lantern comes from the Latin lanterna, "lantern, lamp, or torch," and shares the Greek root lampein, "to shine," with the English word lamp.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

lantern lanterns

After a gesture to follow, I was handed a lantern.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 10, 2026

Diogenes the Cynic famously carried a lantern searching for an honest man.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 2, 2026

Citrus lingers — oranges, grapefruit, tangerines — holding onto the last of their brightness like a lantern carried through fog.

From Salon ● Mar. 1, 2026

Lincolnshire County Council said balloon and lantern releases had been banned since 2020.

From BBC ● Feb. 24, 2026

A little while later, she came back out toting a lantern and a big shoe box.

From "The Seven Wonders of Sassafras Springs" by Betty G. Birney

People dug out lanterns and old radios, and companies scrambled to save what production they could.

From BBC ● Aug. 25, 2026

In the wholesale markets of Yiwu, the Chinese city known for supplying the world with inexpensive goods, buyers can find prayer rugs, Quran stands, modest clothing, Ramadan lanterns and crescent-shaped decorations.

From MarketWatch ● Aug. 12, 2026

A canopy of candy-colored paper lanterns and twinkling lights hangs over a long dining table opposite the restaurant.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 20, 2026

Those plans included improvements to the roof, replacement lanterns and internal works to rooms including the south anteroom and dining areas.

From BBC ● May 14, 2026

They were coming on foot through the snowy woods, with their lanterns, and they were driving up to the door in sleds and in wagons.

From "Little House in the Big Woods" by Laura Ingalls Wilder

Related Words

• beacon
• flashlight
• kerosene lamp
• torch