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

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Etymology

Origin of traffic light

First recorded in 1925–30

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

traffic light

Black boxes monitor driving habits and can provide a weekly rating graded using a traffic light colour scheme.

From BBC ● May 14, 2026

In January, the Department for Transport published a traffic light rating system judging local authorities on how they are maintaining their roads and spending government funding.

From BBC ● May 4, 2026

Seven months ago, a self-driving Waymo made an illegal U-turn at a traffic light right in front of police officers in San Bruno.

From Los Angeles Times ● May 1, 2026

A previous dress rehearsal highlighted the need for a new traffic light at a specific location to alleviate gridlock when military convoys move across the country.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Nov. 27, 2025

Luckily he was stopped at a traffic light or I think he would have driven along beside me yelling in that embarrassing way.

From "The Bell Jar" by Sylvia Plath

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Related Words

• red light
• stoplight
• traffic control
• yellow light

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