neon
Americannoun
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Chemistry. a chemically inert gaseous element occurring in small amounts in the earth's atmosphere, used chiefly in a type of electrical lamp. Ne; 20.183; 10; density: 0.9002 grams/liter at 0°C and 760 millimeters pressure.
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a sign or advertising sign formed from neon lamps.
adjective
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using or containing the gas neon.
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made of or formed by a neon lamp or lamps.
a neon sign.
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of, relating to, or characteristic of a tawdry urban district or of gaudy nighttime entertainment.
noun
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a colourless odourless rare gaseous element, an inert gas occurring in trace amounts in the atmosphere: used in illuminated signs and lights. Symbol: Ne; atomic no: 10; atomic wt: 20.1797; valency: 0; density: 0.899 90 kg/m³; melting pt: –248.59°C; boiling pt: –246.08°C
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(modifier) of or illuminated by neon or neon lamps
neon sign
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A rare colorless element in the noble gas group that occurs naturally in extremely small amounts in the atmosphere. It glows reddish orange when electricity passes through it, as in a tube in an electric neon light. Neon is also used for refrigeration. Atomic number 10; atomic weight 20.180; melting point −248.67°C; boiling point −245.95°C.
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See Periodic Table
Etymology
Origin of neon
First recorded in 1895–1900; from New Latin, from Greek néon “new, recent” (neuter of néos ); see -on 1
Explanation
Neon is a gas that’s often used to light up signs. Neon signs are made with tubes filled with the glowing gas. Neon also describes really bright colors that appear to glow, like a punk rocker’s neon orange Mohawk. The element neon was discovered in 1898 when British chemists chilled air until it became liquid, and then separated the gases it gave off when it was heated. Neon can glow bright red, so it's often used in fluorescent signs and lights. In Greek, neon is a form of the word "new." For neon signs that aren’t so new, there’s the Neon Museum in Las Vegas where the glowing giants go to die.
Vocabulary lists containing neon
4-letter words, List 1
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Common Chemical Elements
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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 floor was so grubby that the thought of sitting anywhere on it was nauseating — and regardless, the lanes were now too dark for reading, lit primarily by bright neon stripes and squiggles.
From Salon • Jul. 3, 2026
Also, the giant neon “Jesus Saves” sign that has sat atop the building since its days as a church is still there — and the owners have no plans to remove it.
From Los Angeles Times • Jul. 2, 2026
All seven members - Maya, Juria, Hinata, Harvey, Cocona, Chisa and Jurin - are dressed in vibrant neon outfits that erupt with tufts of faux fur and intricate belt buckles.
From BBC • Jun. 19, 2026
Wearing a hardhat and neon safety vest, the executive is shown combing the stadium for Lumen branding, with the result being that its logo is prominently displayed -- in the video, at least.
From Barron's • Jun. 12, 2026
“Glance back at the chart, find neon, and tell me what the symbol is.”
From "Okay for Now" by Gary D. Schmidt
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
