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.

---

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

---

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

In his downtime he would travel by horse and buggy across Pennsylvania and neighboring states with what he called his "exhibition": a new-fangled Edison phonograph, a magic lantern slide projector and later on, movies.

From Barron's ● Apr. 13, 2026

However, for now, this is China's lantern town, and its residents are proud that it is known this way.

From BBC ● Mar. 3, 2026

A giant Japanese lantern floats above them like an orb.

From Los Angeles Times ● Mar. 2, 2026

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

From The Wall Street Journal ● Mar. 2, 2026

The second one wore the prettiest hijab cupping her rosy, brown cheeks, and she cradled a bejeweled lantern.

From "The Marvellers" by Dhonielle Clayton

The plant belongs to Thismia, a genus of tiny species sometimes known as "fairy lanterns."

From Science Daily ● Sep. 4, 2026

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

So Magdalys mostly had to be content with watching the great beasts cavort along outside her window: The lamplighter’s iguanodons would pass first thing in the morning, extinguishing the lanterns as the day broke.

From "Dactyl Hill Squad" by Daniel José Older

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---

Related Words

• beacon
• flashlight
• kerosene lamp
• torch

---