light bulb

American  

noun

• light bulbs
  plural

1. an electric light.

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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

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• light bulbs
  plural

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Etymology

Origin of light bulb

First recorded in 1880–85

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

light bulb

"That week my cousin, who hadn't done this before or since, just started to butt dial me every day and by the fifth day the light bulb moment came," he said.

From BBC ● Oct. 6, 2026

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

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

“And once he said it, it just struck a light bulb into my brain like, ‘It’s about the process.

From Los Angeles Times ● Feb. 7, 2026

There was only a single light bulb hanging, and it shone maybe fifteen watts.

From "Okay for Now" by Gary D. Schmidt

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