flashbulb

or flash bulb

[ flash-buhlb ]

noun

, Photography.

1. a glass bulb, filled with oxygen and aluminum or zirconium wire or foil, which, when ignited electrically, burns with a brilliant flash to provide momentary illumination of a subject.

flashbulb

/ ˈflæʃˌbʌlb /

noun

1. photog a small expendable glass light bulb formerly used to produce a bright flash of light Also calledphotoflash Compare electronic flash

Word History and Origins

Origin of flashbulb¹

First recorded in 1930–35; flash + bulb

Example Sentences

Everybody whooped and hollered and flashbulbs went off like gunshots and microphones were shoved in faces and TV cameras were everywhere and parents ran toward their children.

From Vox

The tangle of enormous fake diamonds resting on top of her cleavage sparkles at every flashbulb.

From The Daily Beast

It's as though when we first learn of it a flashbulb has imprinted in our recall the details of the event.

From The Daily Beast

You aim, pull the trigger, and the shutter opens as the flashbulb goes off.

From Project Gutenberg

It was what he'd seen when the flashbulb of his gun-camera went off.

From Project Gutenberg

When you photographed the scene, did you use flashbulb equipment or not?

From Project Gutenberg

Just like a camera flashbulb going off, but bigger, brighter.

From Project Gutenberg