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light bulb

American  

noun

  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

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of light bulb

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The boxes are for empty tortilla chip and plastic produce bags, used clothing, light bulbs and batteries.

From Los Angeles Times

"Instead I use lamps with £5 colour-changing light bulbs. I go for deep orange or warm red and it looks so much cosier."

From BBC

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

From Los Angeles Times

The thing’s a collection of keys and wires and light bulbs, powered by a battery.

From Literature

He points to the "commissariat", a central department within the oil camps that not only provided subsidised food but also maintained the workers' homes, with fresh coats of paint and new light bulbs.

From BBC