red light

¹

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.

red-light

²

[red-lahyt]

verb (used with object)

red-lighted, red-lighting 

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

red light

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of red light¹

First recorded in 1840–50

Origin of red light²

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

At MOCA, about 300 Angelenos braved an atmospheric river to sit in the darkened former police car warehouse bathed in red light.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

The red light spills from behind her teeth like blood.

Read more on Literature

Michael imagined the blinking red light on Mr. Mosley’s answering machine.

Read more on Literature

The team is looking at how frequencies of red light can change the mitochondria inside the brain to improve focus.

Read more on BBC

A jury has been shown footage of the moment a police motorcycle outrider drove through a red light at twice the speed limit in west London and hit an 81-year-old woman who later died.

Read more on BBC

Related Words

• traffic signal www.thesaurus.com