light bulb

American  

noun

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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Etymology

Origin of light bulb

First recorded in 1880–85

Example Sentences

“It’s the one about failing ten thousand times when he tried to invent the light bulb, right? Is that how long you think it’s going to take me to pass the Lincoln assassination?”

From Literature

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