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.
The event sold ticket-holders a big dream, including an ’80s-themed neon roller-skating party, an interactive Barbie Dream House, a bicycle course and a free glam bar.
From Los Angeles Times • Apr. 1, 2026
After knocking out an electron from the neon atom using soft X-rays, they followed how the system evolved for up to a picosecond, which is extremely long on an atomic timescale, before the decay occurred.
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
"That is a sizeable jump," he told AFP, pointing to a neon sign showing $3.27 for a gallon of regular gasoline.
From Barron's • Mar. 7, 2026
Abby and I stepped onto the porch with the August evening sun lowering and lighting the belly of clouds in pink and orange neon.
From "Hope Springs" by Jaime Berry
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.
