neon

American  

[nee-on] / ˈni ɒn /

noun

1. 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.

2. neon lamp.

3. a sign or advertising sign formed from neon lamps.

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adjective

1. using or containing the gas neon.

2. made of or formed by a neon lamp or lamps.

   a neon sign.

3. of, relating to, or characteristic of a tawdry urban district or of gaudy nighttime entertainment.

neon British  

/ ˈniːɒn /

noun

1. 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

2. (modifier) of or illuminated by neon or neon lamps

   neon sign

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neon Scientific  

/ nē′ŏn′ /

1. 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.

2. See Periodic Table

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Etymology

Origin of neon

First recorded in 1895–1900; from New Latin, from Greek néon “new, recent” (neuter of néos ); -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.

Example Sentences

Karia emphasizes cinematic and visual storytelling, too, and cinematographer Stuart Bentley achieves some remarkable compositions, capturing neon lights, car headlights and concrete-dusted corners of outer London at night.

From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 10, 2026

Sora transfixed the tech world by creating seemingly realistic videos of everything from woolly mammoths trekking across a snowy field to a stylish woman walking down a Tokyo street filled with glowing neon signs.

From The Wall Street Journal • Mar. 30, 2026

Later, one krypton atom moves closer to the neon atom while the other shifts farther away, creating favorable conditions for electron transfer and energy flow.

From Science Daily • Mar. 24, 2026

For years there was an Irn Bru advert on the rooftop and a red neon Bells sign on the dome itself, which made it a distinctive landmark in the city.

From BBC • Mar. 12, 2026

He pulled into the motel parking lot and tied Dozer and Petunia to the base of the motel’s neon sign.

From "Dog Squad" by Chris Grabenstein

Related Words

• blazing
• brilliant
• glowing
• lambent
• luminous
• radiant
• shining
• vivid