lamp

[ lamp ]

noun

1. any of various devices furnishing artificial light, as by electricity or gas. Compare fluorescent lamp, incandescent lamp.
2. a container for an inflammable liquid, as oil, which is burned at a wick as a means of illumination.
3. a source of intellectual or spiritual light:

   the lamp of learning.

4. any of various devices furnishing heat, ultraviolet, or other radiation:

   an infrared lamp.

5. a celestial body that gives off light, as the moon or a star.
6. a torch.
7. lamps, Slang. the eyes.

verb (used with object)

1. Slang. to look at; eye.

lamp

/ læmp /

noun

1. 1. any of a number of devices that produce illumination

      a gas lamp

      an electric lamp

      an oil lamp

   2. ( in combination )

      lampshade

2. a device for holding one or more electric light bulbs

   a table lamp

3. a vessel in which a liquid fuel is burned to supply illumination
4. any of a variety of devices that produce radiation, esp for therapeutic purposes

   an ultraviolet lamp

Other Words From

• lampless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of lamp¹

1150–1200; Middle English lampe < Old French < Late Latin lampada, for Latin lampas (stem lampad- ) < Greek lampás lamp; akin to lámpē torch, lamp, lámpein to shine

Word History and Origins

Origin of lamp¹

C13 lampe, via Old French from Latin lampas, from Greek, from lampein to shine

Idioms and Phrases

Idioms

1. smell of the lamp, to give evidence of laborious study or effort:

   His dissertation smells of the lamp.

Example Sentences

And for people whose work schedules or lifestyles make it challenging to spend time in the sun, indoor light therapy lamps that mimic natural light have been shown to combat seasonal affective disorder.

From Los Angeles Times

People light oil lamps and candles on the day to symbolise the triumph of light over darkness and good over evil.

From BBC

By 18:00 the town's streets had turned into raging rivers, with the force of the water dragging away cars, street lamps and benches.

From BBC

The tablet is propped up in a cozy-looking bedroom next to a lava lamp, a mascara tube and a framed portrait of the girl and her dog.

From Los Angeles Times

Also, there’s a lamp in your bath — which is original too, which is amazing.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• flashlight
• light