lampshade

American  

[lamp-sheyd] / ˈlæmpˌʃeɪd /

noun

lampshades plural

1. a shade, usually translucent or opaque, for shielding the glare of a light source in a lamp or for directing the light to a particular area.

---

Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• lampshades
  plural

Etymology

Origin of lampshade

First recorded in 1840–50; lamp + shade

Explanation

A lampshade is a decorative cover that diffuses a lightbulb's brightness. Besides looking pretty, lampshades also prevent a light's glare from temporarily blinding you. If the naked bulb on your lamp casts a stark and blinding light, try putting a lampshade on top. This device does just what its name implies, shading the lamp's light in a pleasant way. Lampshades can be made of fabric, plastic, glass, or paper, and they come in an enormous variety of shapes, sizes, and colors. Early 20th-century vaudeville performers created the enduring trope of a man with a lampshade on his head as the wacky life of the party.

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

lampshade lampshades

He was given a piece of a lampshade as evidence to take back to Britain - the original was broken up and, other than the frame, no other parts remained traceable.

From BBC ● May 5, 2025

Inspired by ordinary objects like a lampshade or well-worn coat, Burch set out to redefine the form of her designs with this collection.

From Seattle Times ● Feb. 12, 2024

“While she thoughtfully sources lampshade frames from a local artisan and uses 100% compostable components for shipping, it’s the wood she utilizes in her designs that highlight her unwavering dedication to the environment,” he says.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 2, 2023

The garage, in footage captured during his campaign, had multiple cardboard boxes and a lampshade sitting off to the side.

From Washington Post ● Jan. 18, 2023

I yank the plug from the socket, throw the lampshade onto the bed, and crouch over the hard drive.

From "Insurgent" by Veronica Roth

She painted delicate flowers, oranges and leaves on glass, leather and even lampshades.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 9, 2026

Bits of beds, chairs, cookers, lampshades; the glass of broken windows, mirrors, drinking glasses.

From BBC ● Jan. 23, 2025

From the ceiling hung a twisted glass chandelier by Eric Dunn, its spiked lampshades mimicking the tendrils of a brain’s dendrites.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 8, 2024

Take bedding and use pillows, throws, upholstered furniture, wallpaper, art, lamps, moody colors and decorative lampshades.

From Seattle Times ● Dec. 21, 2023

White drum-shaped lampshades flanking the sofa were still wrapped in the manufacturer’s plastic.

From "Interpreter of Maladies" by Jhumpa Lahiri