flashlight

[ flash-lahyt ]

noun

1. alsocalledcomma especially British, torch. a small, portable electric lamp powered by dry batteries, LEDs, or a tiny generator.
2. a light that flashes, such as a lighthouse beacon.
3. any source of artificial light as used in flash photography.

flashlight

/ ˈflæʃˌlaɪt /

noun

1. a small portable electric lamp powered by one or more dry batteries Also called (in Britain and certain other countries)torch
2. photog the brief bright light emitted by an electronic flash unit Sometimes shortened toflash
3. a light that flashes, used for signalling, in a lighthouse, etc

Word History and Origins

Origin of flashlight¹

First recorded in 1885–90; flash + light ¹

Example Sentences

I turned a flashlight on the top of the cliff above us where the redwood forest started.

From Los Angeles Times

"Listen for updates and be ready in case you lose electrical power. Keep a battery-powered radio, charged cell phone and flashlight handy."

From Salon

Harrowing videos from the scene showed rescuers digging frantically with shovels and bare hands, searching by the light of cellphones and flashlights for injured survivors buried in deep craters in the sand.

From Los Angeles Times

Police, fire and rescue squads could be seen using flashlights to search for any students and salvageable property in the destroyed dormitories, Reuters news agency reports.

From BBC

Inside the bunk room, victims were found with mismatched shoes, one clutched a phone and another, a flashlight.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• fame
• light
• limelight
• notoriety
• public eye
• publicity