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definitions

red light

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.

Origin of red light

First recorded in 1840–50

red-light

[red-lahyt]
verb (used with object), red-light·ed, red-light·ing.
  1. Informal. to stop or deter by means of or as if with a red light.

Origin of red-light

First recorded in 1895–1900
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Examples from the Web for redlight

Historical Examples of redlight

British Dictionary definitions for redlight

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
    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
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012