plural lights
1
a
: something that makes vision possible
b
: the sensation aroused by stimulation of the visual receptors
c
: electromagnetic radiation of any wavelength that travels in a vacuum with a speed of 299,792,458 meters (about 186,000 miles) per second
specifically
: such radiation that is visible to the human eye
3
: a source of light: such as
a
: a celestial body
As night fell the lights in the sky multiplied.
b
: candle
put a light in the window
c
: an electric light
4
a
: a color of notable lightness : a light or pale color
—usually plural
Bartlett allows his preliminary wash or grisaille to dry and then applies transparent layers of broken color. Into this wash he adds the lights and darks as they have been mapped out underneath.—
Harley Bartlett
Harley Bartlett
b
lights plural
: clothing that is light in color
always washed his lights separately from his darks
5
archaic
: sight sense 4a
6
a
: spiritual illumination
the light shines in the darkness, and the darkness has not overcome it—John 1:5 (Revised Standard Version)
John 1:5 (Revised Standard Version)
b
c
: enlightenment
reaching out and groping for a pathway to the light—B. N. Cardozo
B. N. Cardozo
d
: truth
7
a
: public knowledge
facts brought to light
b
: a particular aspect or appearance presented to view
saw the matter in a different light
8
: a particular illumination
9
: something that enlightens or informs
shed some light on the problem
10
: a medium (such as a window) through which light is admitted
11
lights plural
: a set of principles, standards, or opinions
worship according to one's lights—Adrienne Koch
Adrienne Koch12
: a noteworthy person in a particular place or field
a literary light among current writers
see also leading light
13
: a particular expression of the eye
listened with a fiery light burning in her eyes—Sherwood Anderson
Sherwood Anderson14
a
: lighthouse, beacon
b
15
: the representation of light in art
16
: a flame for lighting something (such as a cigarette)
lighter; lightest
1
: having light : bright
a light airy room
2
a
: not intense in color, coloring, or pigmentation : not dark : pale
light hair
b
of colors
: medium in saturation and high in lightness
light blue
3
of coffee
: served with extra milk or cream
lit
ˈlit 
or lighted; lighting
or lighted; lighting
1
: to become light : brighten
—usually used with up
her face lit up
2
: to take fire
3
: to ignite something (such as a cigarette)
—often used with up
1
: to set fire to
2
a
: to conduct with a light : guide
b
: illuminate
rockets light up the sky
1
a
: having little weight : not heavy
b
: designed to carry a comparatively small load
a light truck
c
: having relatively little weight in proportion to bulk
aluminum is a light metal
d
: containing less than the legal, standard, or usual weight
a light coin
2
a
: of little importance : trivial
b
: not abundant
light rain
a light lunch
3
4
a
: easily endurable
a light illness
b
: requiring little effort
light work
5
: capable of moving swiftly or nimbly
light on his feet
6
a
: frivolous sense 1a
light conduct
b
: lacking in stability : changeable
light opinions
c
: sexually promiscuous
7
: free from care : cheerful
8
: less powerful but usually more mobile than usual for its kind
light cavalry
a light cruiser
9
a
: made with a lower calorie content or with less of some ingredient (such as salt, fat, or alcohol) than usual
b
: having a relatively mild flavor
10
a
: easily digested
a light soup
b
: well leavened
a light crust
11
: coarse and sandy or easily pulverized
light soil
13
: intended chiefly to entertain
light verse
light comedy
14
a
: carrying little or no cargo
the ship returned light
b
: producing goods for direct consumption by the consumer
light industry
15
: not bearing a stress or accent
a light syllable
16
: having a clear soft quality
a light voice
17
: being in debt to the pot in a poker game
three chips light
18
: short sense 5d
light on experience
19
: casual, occasional
a light smoker
lit
ˈlit
or lighted; lighting
or lighted; lighting
Phrases
in the light of
1
: from the point of view of
2
or in light of
: in view of
In light of their findings, new procedures were established.
: to attack forcefully
I lit into that food until I'd finished off the heel of the loaf—Helen Eustis
Helen EustisSynonyms
Noun
Adjective (1)
Verb (1)
Adjective (2)
Verb (2)
Examples of light in a Sentence
Noun
The landscape was bathed in light.
a photograph taken in low light
the light of the moon
a mixture of light and shadow
The windows let fresh air and light into the room.
The lights suddenly went out.
The lights suddenly came on.
the twinkling lights of the city below
the bright lights of Broadway
The lights are on, so there must be somebody at home.
Adjective (1)
the light, airy room is exceptionally cheerful
we painted the walls a light blue
her light skin tends to freckle easily in the sun
Verb (1)
we lit the kindling before adding the heavier logs
the lights from the TV cameras will light this room as though it were high noon
Adjective (2)
the suitcase was as light as a feather after all the clothes were removed
a little light work was all it took to straighten up the room
traffic on the highway seems to be very light today
the dancer was exceptionally light on her feet
light punishment to fit a minor offense
the waves had an especially light foam at their crests because of the strong breeze
Verb (2)
the bird lit on the branch and began to sing
he hurriedly lighted from the bus and started walking up the street
Recent Examples on the Web
PCMAG, 6 Nov. 2024
The market rally may be indicative of investors seeing the light at the end of getting rid of the election overhang.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2024
PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024
Some will suggest a light meal of fruits or lean protein an hour ahead of a race while others will advise loading up on pasta the night before.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 7 Nov. 2024
Shoko Wanger, Architectural Digest, 5 Nov. 2024
The tree lighting, led by Santa and local dignitaries, will follow.
—Cathy Kozlowicz, Journal Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2024
Jenny Berg, Vogue, 12 July 2024
Dark spots can indicate the presence of mold, and gray-blackish (or possibly light pink) slimy scum suggests biofilm, a substance secreted by microorganisms.
—Staff Author, Health, 18 Jan. 2024
See all Example Sentences for light 
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
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Noun
Shadow details are maintained while looking dark, and in one scene of a valley at dusk, the lights of houses twinkle brightly without showing any light bloom.
—PCMAG, 6 Nov. 2024
The market rally may be indicative of investors seeing the light at the end of getting rid of the election overhang.
—Jeff Marks, CNBC, 5 Nov. 2024
Adjective
The keyboard’s trademark shallow key travel remains the same, which is a demerit for heavy-handed typists like myself but should delight light-touch Mac users who prefer little to no resistance when typing.
—PCMAG, 7 Nov. 2024
Some will suggest a light meal of fruits or lean protein an hour ahead of a race while others will advise loading up on pasta the night before.
—Mack Degeurin, Popular Science, 7 Nov. 2024
Verb
With confetti colors and an appealing blocky design (buffered by rounded edges), these statement pieces are easy to clean and light enough to be moved from playroom to patio without a hitch.
—Shoko Wanger, Architectural Digest, 5 Nov. 2024
The tree lighting, led by Santa and local dignitaries, will follow.
—Cathy Kozlowicz, Journal Sentinel, 5 Nov. 2024
Adverb
The highlighter gives the skin a light-catching glow, while the balm lends a dewy radiance; the two products can be used separately or together.
—Jenny Berg, Vogue, 12 July 2024
Dark spots can indicate the presence of mold, and gray-blackish (or possibly light pink) slimy scum suggests biofilm, a substance secreted by microorganisms.
—Staff Author, Health, 18 Jan. 2024
See all Example Sentences for light
Dictionary Entries Near light
Cite this Entry
“Light.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/light. Accessed 22 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
light
1 of 6 noun1
a
: something that makes vision possible
b
: the sensation aroused by stimulation of the visual sense organs
c
: electromagnetic radiation of any wavelength (as infrared, visible, ultraviolet, and X-rays) and traveling in a vacuum with a speed of about 186,000 miles (300,000 kilometers) per second
especially
: such radiation that is visible to the human eye
2
: daylight sense 1
by dawn's early light
3
: a source (as a lamp) of light
turn on the light
4
a
: public knowledge
facts brought to light
b
: a particular appearance presented to view
were shown in a bad light by the lawyer
I see the matter in a different light now
5
: a particular illumination
by the light of the moon
6
: something that helps one to know or understand
shed light on a problem
7
: a noted person : leading light
8
a
: lighthouse, beacon
b
: traffic signal
turn left at the next light
9
: a flame for lighting something
light
3 of 6 verb
lighted or lit
ˈlit
; lighting
; lighting
1
: to make or become bright
—often used with up
2
: to cause to burn or begin to burn
—often used with up
3
: to lead with a light
light a guest up the stairs
light
4 of 6 adjective1
a
: having little or less than usual weight : not heavy
b
: designed to carry a small load
light truck
2
3
a
: easily disturbed
a light sleeper
b
: putting forth little force or pressure : gentle
a light touch
4
: not hard to bear, do, pay, or digest
light punishment
light exercise
light food
5
: capable of moving swiftly or nimbly
light on one's feet
6
: intended chiefly to entertain
light reading
light verse
7
: made with a lower calorie content or with less of some ingredient (as fat)
light salad dressing
8
: having a spongy or fluffy quality
light pastry
9
: producing goods that will be sold to the people who use them rather than to another manufacturer
light industry
lightly
adverb
lightness
noun
light
5 of 6 adverb1
: in a light manner
2
: with little baggage
traveling light
Etymology
Noun
Old English lēoht "light, that which makes seeing possible"
Adjective
Old English lēoht "not heavy"
Verb
Old English līhtan "to come down off something or out of the air"
Medical Definition
light
1 of 2 noun1
a
: the sensation aroused by stimulation of the visual receptors
b
: an electromagnetic radiation in the wavelength range including infrared, visible, ultraviolet, and X-rays and traveling in a vacuum with a speed of about 186,281 miles (300,000 kilometers) per second
specifically
: the part of this range that is visible to the human eye
2
: a source of light
light
2 of 2 adjective
variants
or lite
: made with a lower calorie content or with less of some ingredient (as salt, fat, or alcohol) than usual
light salad dressing
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