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

"When I put the light switch on, I don't care how that electricity gets to my light bulb, I just want it to work," said Robert.

From BBC ● Sep. 4, 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

Blog comment sections were notoriously dynamic, full of debate and discussion and lots of light bulb moments for writers and readers alike.

From Slate ● Mar. 31, 2026

Even the light bulb above the pool table shined dim soiled light.

From "Ceremony:" by Leslie Marmon Silko

Random Word

Spin the wheel and learn a new word!

---