lights Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun (physics) electromagnetic radiation that can produce a visual sensation
    light; visible light; visible radiation.
    • the light was filtered through a soft glass window
  2. noun any device serving as a source of illumination
    light source; light.
    • he stopped the car and turned off the lights
  3. noun a particular perspective or aspect of a situation
    light.
    • although he saw it in a different light, he still did not understand
  4. noun the quality of being luminous; emitting or reflecting light
    luminance; brightness; luminosity; luminousness; light; brightness level.
    • its luminosity is measured relative to that of our sun
  5. noun an illuminated area
    light.
    • he stepped into the light
  6. noun a condition of spiritual awareness; divine illumination
    light; illumination.
    • follow God's light
  7. noun the visual effect of illumination on objects or scenes as created in pictures
    light; lightness.
    • he could paint the lightest light and the darkest dark
  8. noun a person regarded very fondly
    light.
    • the light of my life
  9. noun having abundant light or illumination
    light; lighting.
    • they played as long as it was light
    • as long as the lighting was good
  10. noun mental understanding as an enlightening experience
    light.
    • he finally saw the light
    • can you shed light on this problem?
  11. noun merriment expressed by a brightness or gleam or animation of countenance
    sparkle; spark; light; twinkle.
    • he had a sparkle in his eye
    • there's a perpetual twinkle in his eyes
  12. noun public awareness
    light.
    • it brought the scandal to light
  13. noun a divine presence believed by Quakers to enlighten and guide the soul
    Christ Within; Light; Light Within; Inner Light.
  14. noun a visual warning signal
    light.
    • they saw the light of the beacon
    • there was a light at every corner
  15. noun a device for lighting or igniting fuel or charges or fires
    light; ignitor; lighter; igniter.
    • do you have a light?
  16. verb make lighter or brighter
    light; illuminate; illumine; light up; illume.
    • This lamp lightens the room a bit
  17. verb begin to smoke
    light; fire up; light up.
    • After the meal, some of the diners lit up
  18. verb to come to rest, settle
    alight; perch; light.
    • Misfortune lighted upon him
  19. verb cause to start burning; subject to fire or great heat
    ignite; light.
    • Great heat can ignite almost any dry matter
    • Light a cigarette
  20. verb fall to somebody by assignment or lot
    light; fall.
    • The task fell to me
    • It fell to me to notify the parents of the victims
  21. verb alight from (a horse)
    light; dismount; unhorse; get off; get down.

WordNet


lights noun plural
Etymology
So called from their lightness.
Definitions
  1. The lungs of an animal or bird; -- sometimes coarsely applied to the lungs of a human being.

Webster 1913