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

“It was like a light bulb went off,” said Ansolabehere.

From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 7, 2026

"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

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

In the center of the room was his bed, actually an army cot, which was lit by a naked light bulb hanging from the ceiling directly above his pillow.

From "The House of the Spirits: A Novel" by Isabel Allende

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