lantern

[ lan-tern ]

noun

1. a transparent or translucent, usually portable, case for enclosing a light and protecting it from the wind, rain, etc.
2. the chamber at the top of a lighthouse, surrounding the light.
3. magic lantern.
4. Architecture.
   1. a tall, more or less open construction admitting light to an enclosed area below.
   2. any light, decorative structure of relatively small size crowning a roof, dome, etc.
   3. an open-sided structure on a roof to let out smoke or to assist ventilation.
5. a light, usually over the entrance to an elevator on each floor of a multistory building, that signals the approach of the elevator.

lantern

/ ˈlæntən /

noun

1. a light with a transparent or translucent protective case
2. a structure on top of a dome or roof having openings or windows to admit light or air
3. the upper part of a lighthouse that houses the light
4. photog short for magic lantern

Word History and Origins

Origin of lantern¹

1250–1300; Middle English lanterne < Latin lanterna (< Etruscan ) < Greek lamptḗr lamp, light

Word History and Origins

Origin of lantern¹

C13: from Latin lanterna, from Greek lamptēr lamp, from lampein to shine

Example Sentences

The men who wrote the note in 1892 had been at the lighthouse to install a different type of lantern and glazing at the top of the tower.

From BBC

Sleepily I followed him to a picnic bench glowing amber in the lantern light.

From Los Angeles Times

If it’s high tide, and you’re blocked by the seawall protecting the beach development near Poche Beach, head away from the beach toward the Amtrak rails, carefully stepping over them, and onto Park Lantern, walking along that street until it becomes Coast Highway Protected Trail.

From Los Angeles Times

They made do their first night with a battery-powered lantern and the gas burners they brought from the island.

From Seattle Times

The highlight of the celebration in South Korea is the lotus lantern festival called Yeondeunghoe, a parade of thousands of colorful, lighted paper lanterns often shaped like lotus flowers that are hung in temples and streets of Seoul.

From Seattle Times

Related Words

• beacon
• flashlight
• kerosene lamp
• torch