light bulb

American  

noun

• light bulbs
  plural

1. an electric light.

---

light bulb British  

noun

1. Sometimes shortened to: bulb.  a glass bulb containing a gas, such as argon or nitrogen, at low pressure and enclosing a thin metal filament that emits light when an electric current is passed through it

---

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• light bulbs
  plural

Etymology

Origin of light bulb

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

light bulb

The Spaniard once brought a light bulb into the dressing room while asking his players to be energetic and shine.

From BBC ● Sep. 11, 2026

Earlier this year, when Vivienne came across a video on social media explaining the symptoms of Hypermobility Spectrum Disorder, it was like a light bulb switching on.

From BBC ● Aug. 27, 2026

Among the answers: a small ink-stained mahogany desk, an antique light bulb, a brown leather flight suit and a baseball jersey.

From Barron's ● May 29, 2026

On the drive home, Scanlon, 33, had a light bulb moment: “What I love doing is something most people find totally overwhelming and exhausting,” she says.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 21, 2026

A naked light bulb burned on a cord swinging from the ceiling, casting sharp shadows on the wall behind the mantelpiece, and in the corner where Calpurnia sat.

From "Go Set a Watchman: A Novel" by Harper Lee