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

See Examples For:

traffic light

In another clip obtained by The Times, one individual with a Spider-Man mask was seen climbing a traffic light before leading the crowd in a chant: “USA, USA, USA.”

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 5, 2026

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

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

The driver watched the traffic light turn to yellow and then he stepped on the accelerator believing he could just glide right through the red signal.

From "Counting by 7s" by Holly Goldberg Sloan

Related Words

• red light
• stoplight
• traffic control
• yellow light