Definition of "light"

light¹

/laɪt/

noun
countable and uncountable, plural lights
1. (physics, uncountable) Electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength range visible to the human eye (about 400–750 nanometers); visible light.
  Quotations
  Then came a maid with hand-bag and shawls, and after her a tall young lady. She stood for a moment holding her skirt above the grimy steps, […] , and the light of the reflector fell full upon her.
  1897 December (indicated as 1898), Winston Churchill, chapter V, in The Celebrity: An Episode, New York, N.Y.: The Macmillan Company; London: Macmillan & Co., Ltd.
  Here the stripped panelling was warmly gold and the pictures, mostly of the English school, were mellow and gentle in the afternoon light.
  1963, Margery Allingham, chapter 3, in The China Governess‎
  [Rural solar plant] schemes are of little help to industry or other heavy users of electricity. Nor is solar power yet as cheap as the grid. For all that, the rapid arrival of electric light to Indian villages is long overdue. When the national grid suffers its next huge outage, as it did in July 2012 when hundreds of millions were left in the dark, look for specks of light in the villages.
  2013 July 20, “Out of the gloom”, in The Economist, volume 408, number 8845
  When the studio light is on, I am recording my evening show. Audio (US)(file)
  2016, VOA Learning English (public domain)
  1. (by extension) Infrared or ultraviolet radiation.
2. (countable) A source of illumination.
  Quotations
  And the light ſhineth in darkneſſe, and the darkneſſe compꝛehended it not.
  1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], John 1:5
  He was thinking; but the glory of the song, the swell from the great organ, the clustered lights, […] , the height and vastness of this noble fane, its antiquity and its strength—all these things seemed to have their part as causes of the thrilling emotion that accompanied his thoughts.
  1918, W[illiam] B[abington] Maxwell, chapter V, in The Mirror and the Lamp, Indianapolis, Ind.: The Bobbs-Merrill Company
  1. A lightbulb or similar light-emitting device, regardless of whether it is lit.
    Quotations
    The ceiling lights were off, but I knew the narrow light spilling from the lamp on my bureau would be enough for her to see the pale red marks on my chest, which had been fading for so long they had gone back to being shiny again.
    2016 August 7, Jameson Rich, “The Shirt Stays On”, in The New York Times‎, New York, N.Y.: The New York Times Company, archived from the original on 2022-11-25
  2. (by extension) an intersection controlled by traffic lights.
3. (figurative) Spiritual or mental illumination; enlightenment, useful information.
  Quotations
  He shall never know / That I had any light of this from thee.
  c. 1590–1591 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Two Gentlemen of Verona”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act III, scene i]
  Greatly interested in these differences—some of them so great that they led me to seek exchanges of light with Englishmen—I looked for some work that would describe and account for them with a show of completeness, and perhaps depict the process of their origin.]
  , H. L. Mencken, The American Language, 2nd edition, New York: Alfred A. Knopf
4. (in the plural, now rare) Facts; pieces of information; ideas, concepts.
  Quotations
  Now these notions are twofold, actions or habits […], which are durable lights and notions, which we may use when we will.
  1624, Democritus Junior [pseudonym; Robert Burton], The Anatomy of Melancholy: […], 2nd edition, Oxford, Oxfordshire: Printed by John Lichfield and James Short, for Henry Cripps
5. A notable person within a specific field or discipline.
  Quotations
  Joan of Arc, a light of ancient France
  1842, Alfred Tennyson, “A Dream of Fair Women”, in Poems. […], volumes (please specify |volume=I or II), London: Edward Moxon, […]
6. (painting) The manner in which the light strikes a picture; that part of a picture which represents those objects upon which the light is supposed to fall; the more illuminated part of a landscape or other scene; opposed to shade.
7. A point of view, or aspect from which a concept, person or thing is regarded.
  Quotations
  Frequent consideration of a thing […] shows it in its several lights and various ways of appearance.
  1692–1717, Robert South, Twelve Sermons Preached upon Several Occasions, 6th edition, volumes (please specify |volume=I to VI), London: […] J[ames] Bettenham, for Jonah Bowyer, […], published 1727
  Now if there was one thing that the animals were completely certain of, it was that they did not want Jones back. When it was put to them in this light, they had no more to say.
  1945 August 17, George Orwell [pseudonym; Eric Arthur Blair], chapter 3, in Animal Farm […], London: Secker & Warburg
8. A flame or something used to create fire.
  Quotations
  "There will, I expect, be many such - possibly whole cities in flames - when we consider how many folk may have dropped with lights in their hands."
  1913, Arthur Conan Doyle, “(please specify the page)”, in The Poison Belt […], London; New York, N.Y.: Hodder and Stoughton
  1. (slang) A cigarette lighter.
9. A firework made by filling a case with a substance which burns brilliantly with a white or coloured flame.
10. A window in architecture, carriage design, or motor car design: either the opening itself or the window pane of glass that fills it, if any.
11. The series of squares reserved for the answer to a crossword clue.
12. (informal) A cross-light in a double acrostic or triple acrostic.
13. Open view; a visible state or condition; public observation; publicity.
  Quotations
  The duke yet would have dark deeds darkly answered; he would never bring them to light.
  c. 1603–1604 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Measure for Measure”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act III, scene ii]
14. The power of perception by vision.
  Quotations
  My heart panteth, my strength faileth me: as for the light of mine eies, it also is gone from me.
  1611, The Holy Bible, […] (King James Version), London: […] Robert Barker, […], Psalms 38:10
15. The brightness of the eye or eyes.
  Quotations
  He seemed to find his way without his eyes; / For out o'door he went without their helps, / And, to the last, bended their light on me.
  c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act II, scene i]

light²

/laɪt/

verb
third-person singular simple present lights, present participle lighting, simple past and past participle lit or lighted or (obsolete) light
1. (transitive) To start (a fire).
2. (transitive) To set fire to; to set burning.
  Quotations
  if a thousand candles be all lighted from one
  1627, G[eorge] H[akewill], An Apologie of the Power and Prouidence of God in the Gouernment of the World. […], Oxford, Oxfordshire: […] Iohn Lichfield and William Turner, […]
3. (transitive) To illuminate; to provide light for when it is dark.
  Quotations
  One hundred years ago, to have lit this theatre as brilliantly as it is now lighted would have cost, I suppose, fifty pounds.
  19th century', Frederic Harrison, The Fortnightly Review
  The Sun has set, and Vesper, to supply / His absent beams, had lighted up the sky.
  1700, [John] Dryden, “The Flower and the Leaf: Or, The Lady in the Arbour. A Vision.”, in Fables Ancient and Modern; […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […]
  "Can I light you down to your cab?"
  1932, Delos W. Lovelace, King Kong, published 1965, page 9
4. (intransitive) To become ignited; to take fire.
5. To attend or conduct with a light; to show the way to by means of a light.
  Quotations
  His bishops lead him forth, and light him on.
  1824, Walter Savage Landor, Imaginary Conversations: Richard I and the Abbot of Boxley
6. (transitive, pinball) To make (a bonus) available to be collected by hitting a target, and thus light up the feature light corresponding to that bonus to indicate its availability.

light³

/laɪt/

adjective
comparative lighter, superlative lightest
1. Having light; bright; clear; not dark or obscure.
  Quotations
  Historic England explained the listing: "The station's unique design employs a high level of sophistication and innovation through its use of conoid shells supported on a cruck-like frame, which not only create a dramatic aesthetic form, but endow the building with a light and spacious interior."
  2023 March 22, Philip Haigh, “Five configuration stages to boost Manchester rail capacity”, in RAIL, number 979, page 31
2. Pale or whitish in color; highly luminous and more or less deficient in chroma.
  Quotations
  'Twas early June, the new grass was flourishing everywheres, the posies in the yard—peonies and such—in full bloom, the Sun was shining, and the water of the bay was blue, with light green streaks where the shoal showed.
  1913, Joseph C. Lincoln, chapter 1, in Mr. Pratt's Patients
3. (of coffee) Served with extra milk or cream.

light⁴

/laɪt/

adjective
comparative lighter, superlative lightest
1. Having little or relatively little actual weight; not cumbrous or unwieldy.
  Quotations
  These weights did not exert their natural gravity […] insomuch that I could not guess which was light or heavy whilst I held them in my hand.
  1712 September 1 (Gregorian calendar), [Joseph Addison; Richard Steele et al.], “THURSDAY, August 21, 1712”, in The Spectator, number 463; republished in Alexander Chalmers, editor, The Spectator; a New Edition, […], volume V, New York, N.Y.: D[aniel] Appleton & Company, 1853
2. Having little weight as compared with bulk; of little density or specific gravity.
3. Of short or insufficient weight; weighing less than the legal, standard, or proper amount; clipped or diminished.
4. Lacking that which burdens or makes heavy.
  1. Free from burden or impediment; unencumbered.
  2. Lightly built; typically designed for speed or small loads.
  3. (military) Not heavily armed; armed with light weapons.
  4. (nautical, of a ship) Riding high because of no cargo; by extension, pertaining to a ship which is light.
  5. (rail transport, of a locomotive or consist of locomotives) Without any piece of equipment attached or attached only to a caboose.
    Quotations
    On that August Thursday afternoon, there was little freight traffic; a large "K3" Mogul went down with a short, fast goods, and a W.D. 2-8-0 proceeded northward light.
    1951 January, R. A. H. Weight, “A Railway Recorder in Essex and Hertfordshire”, in Railway Magazine, page 44
  6. With low viscosity.
5. (cooking) Not heavy or soggy; spongy; well raised.
6. Low in fat, calories, alcohol, salt, etc.
7. Slight, not forceful or intense; small in amount or intensity.
8. Gentle; having little force or momentum.
9. Easy to endure or perform.
  Quotations
  Light sufferings give us leisure to complain.
  1697, Virgil, “Palamon and Arcite”, in John Dryden, transl., The Works of Virgil: Containing His Pastorals, Georgics, and Æneis. […], London: […] Jacob Tonson, […]
10. Unimportant, trivial, having little value or significance.
  Quotations
  He had drunk more than was fit for him, and he was singing some light song, when he saw approaching, as he said, the pale horse mentioned in the Revelation, with Death seated as the rider.
  1902, John Buchan, The Outgoing of the Tide
11. (obsolete) Unchaste, wanton.
  Quotations
  Long after lay he musing at her mood, / Much grieu'd to thinke that gentle Dame so light, / For whose defence he was to shed his blood.
  1590, Edmund Spenser, “Book I, Canto I”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie
  So do not you; for you are a light girl.
  c. 1595–1596 (date written), William Shakespeare, “Loues Labour’s Lost”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act V, scene ii]
  A light wife doth make a heavy husband.
  c. 1596–1598 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Merchant of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act V, scene i]
12. Not encumbered; unembarrassed; clear of impediments; hence, active; nimble; swift.
  Quotations
  Unmarried men are best friends, best masters […] but not always best subjects, for they are light to run away.
  1625, Francis [Bacon], “Of Marriage and Single Life”, in The Essayes […], 3rd edition, London: […] Iohn Haviland for Hanna Barret
13. (dated) Easily influenced by trifling considerations; unsteady; unsettled; volatile.
  Quotations
  There is no greater argument of a light and inconsiderate person than profanely to scoff at religion.
  1633, John Tillotson, The Wisdom of being Religious
14. Indulging in, or inclined to, levity; lacking dignity or solemnity; frivolous; airy.
  Quotations
  Seneca can not be too heavy, nor Plautus too light.
  c. 1599–1602 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Hamlet, Prince of Denmarke”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act II, scene ii]
  specimens of New England humour laboriously light and lamentably mirthful
  1851, Nathaniel Hawthorne, Old News
15. Not quite sound or normal; somewhat impaired or deranged; dizzy; giddy.
  Quotations
  Are his wits safe? Is he not light of brain?
  c. 1603–1604 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Othello, the Moore of Venice”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, [Act IV, scene i]
16. Easily interrupted by stimulation.
17. Cheerful.
  Quotations
  I wish you a good day, and you'll find a way To make your spirits light & gay
  1980, “ア・グッド・デイ [A Good Day]”, Yoko Narahashi (lyrics), Yukihide Takekawa (music), performed by Godiego
adverb
comparative lighter, superlative lightest
1. Carrying little.
noun
plural lights
1. (curling) A stone that is not thrown hard enough.
2. See lights (“lungs”).
3. (Australia, uncountable) A low-alcohol lager.
  Quotations
  We crossed to the pub on the corner of Carlisle Street and I ordered two schooners of old for him and one of light for me.
  2010, Peter Corris, Torn Apart, Allen and Unwin, page 117
4. (military, historical) A member of the light cavalry.
verb
third-person singular simple present lights, present participle lighting, simple past and past participle lighted
1. (nautical) To unload a ship, or to jettison material to make it lighter
2. To lighten; to ease of a burden; to take off.
  Quotations
  His mailèd habergeon she did undight, / And from his head his heavy burgonet did light.
  1590, Edmund Spenser, “(please specify the book)”, in The Faerie Queene. […], London: […] [John Wolfe] for William Ponsonbie

light⁵

/laɪt/

verb
third-person singular simple present lights, present participle lighting, simple past and past participle lit or lighted or (obsolete) light
1. To find by chance.
2. To stop upon (of eyes or a glance); to notice
  Quotations
  "Sacredam!" he cried, when his eyes lit upon Buck. "Dat one dam bully dog! Eh? How moch?"
  1903 July, Jack London, “Into the Primitive”, in The Call of the Wild, New York, N.Y.: The Macmillan Company; London: Macmillan & Co., page 34
3. (archaic) To alight; to land or come down.
  Quotations
  [W]e knew not what Courſe to take, but the Creatures [wolves] reſolv'd us ſoon, for they gather'd about us preſently, in Hopes of Prey, […] I drew my little Troop in among thoſe Trees, and placing our ſelves in a Line, behind one long Tree, I advis'd them all to light, and keeping that Tree before us, for a Breaſt-Work, to ſtand in a Triangle, or three Fronts, encloſing our Horſes in the Center.
  1719 May 6 (Gregorian calendar), [Daniel Defoe], The Life and Strange Surprizing Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, […], 3rd edition, London: […] W[illiam] Taylor […], published 1719, pages 356–357
  And Rebekah lifted up her eyes, and when she saw Isaac, she lighted off the camel.
  1769, Benjamin Blayney (Ed.), King James Bible (Genesis 25:64)
  Some kinds of ducks in lighting strike the water with their tails first, and skitter along the surface for a few feet before settling down.
  1885, Theodore Roosevelt, Hunting Trips of a Ranchman
  And our fish came down, too. He fell into a pot! He said, "Do I like this? Oh, no! I do not. This is not a good game," Said our fish as he lit.
  1957, Dr. Seuss (Theodor Geisel), The Cat in the Hat

Definition of "light"

light1

noun

Quotations

Quotations

Quotations

Quotations

Quotations

Quotations

Quotations

Quotations

Quotations

Quotations

Quotations

light2

verb

Quotations

Quotations

Quotations

light3

adjective

Quotations

Quotations

light4

adjective

Quotations

Quotations

Quotations

Quotations

Quotations

Quotations

Quotations

Quotations

Quotations

Quotations

adverb

noun

Quotations

verb

Quotations

light5

verb

Quotations

Quotations

light¹

light²

light³

light⁴

light⁵