traffic light

American  

noun

traffic lights plural

1. a set of electrically operated signal lights used to direct or control traffic at intersections.

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traffic light British  

noun

1. one of a set of coloured lights placed at crossroads, junctions, etc, to control the flow of traffic. A red light indicates that traffic must stop and a green light that it may go: usually an amber warning light is added between the red and the green

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Other Word Forms

Noun Inflected Forms

• traffic lights
  plural

Etymology

Origin of traffic light

First recorded in 1925–30

Example Sentences

“Hey, it’s okay, man,” Mr. Ray said, stretching his neck to see the traffic light ahead of us.

From "The Boy in the Black Suit" by Jason Reynolds

Related Words

• red light
• stoplight
• traffic control
• yellow light