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.
As Townsend spoke, some of his workers filed out of the group’s airy office in Baldwin Village, wearing the group’s trademark neon green shirts.
From Los Angeles Times ● Oct. 27, 2026
The classic metal-front diner with yellow neon signs was saved from the wrecking ball in 2024, and reopened soon after with an elevated Tex-Mex menu.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Oct. 26, 2026
One ICE officer appears to be wearing a neon construction vest and carrying a large gun.
From BBC ● Oct. 9, 2026
The city council is considering a series of measures designed to regulate the three-wheeled vehicles, often adorned in neon lights and blasting music as they shuttle visitors around Manhattan.
From Barron's ● Oct. 7, 2026
They lived their lives surrounded by all that glitter and neon, happily assuming that small, cute women were harmless.
From "Genuine Fraud" by E. Lockhart
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