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 ); -on 1
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.
Well-known works will be shown alongside never-before-seen pieces in a display that highlights painting, video, textile, neon, sculpture and more to survey Ms. Emin’s confessional approach to creating.
“She’s turning bright red and then white, red and white, like a neon sign.”
From Literature
The word flashed across his brain as if he had seen it blazing on a neon sign.
From Literature
Someone is fishing a kite from electricity cables, the distant sound of a drum beat, a flash of neon when you look up in the walled city's narrow streets to a stretch of sky.
From BBC
He looks with darting curiosity and unmistakable contempt at the world around him, but that world is reflected on his face: Its neon signage and passing car lights dance on his eyeballs.
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.
