red light

¹ American  

noun

1. a red lamp, used as a traffic signal to mean “stop.”

2. an order or directive to halt an action, project, etc..

   There's a red light on all unnecessary expenses.

3. a children's running game in which players must stop when “Red light!” is called.

4. a signal of danger; warning.

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red-light ² American  

[red-lahyt] / ˈrɛdˈlaɪt /

verb (used with object)

red-lighted, red-lighting

1. Informal. to stop or deter by means of or as if with a red light.

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red light British  

noun

1. a signal to stop, esp a red traffic signal in a system of traffic lights

2. a danger signal

3. an instruction to stop or discontinue

4. 1. a red lamp in a window of or outside a house indicating that it is a brothel

   2. ( as modifier )

      a red-light district

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Etymology

Origin of red light¹

First recorded in 1840–50

Origin of red-light²

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

She was putting the groceries onto the counter so that the woman in the pink smock could drive them over the beeping thing with the green and red light.

From Literature

A red light touched the points of standing rocks.

From Literature

But when the cameras rolled and the red light snapped on, he came alive.

From The Wall Street Journal

“I saw a car driving like at least 70 mph, and he ran the red light, so I was able to break in time,” Maria Torres told KABC.

From Los Angeles Times

When he flexed, the red light grew brighter.

From Literature

Related Words

• traffic signal