red light

See synonyms for red light on Thesaurus.com
noun
  1. a red lamp, used as a traffic signal to mean “stop.”

  2. an order or directive to halt an action, project, etc.: There's a red light on all unnecessary expenses.

  1. a children's running game in which players must stop when “Red light!” is called.

  2. a signal of danger; warning.

Origin of red light

1
First recorded in 1840–50

Words Nearby red light

Other definitions for red-light (2 of 2)

red-light
[ red-lahyt ]

verb (used with object),red-light·ed, red-light·ing.
  1. Informal. to stop or deter by means of or as if with a red light.

Origin of red-light

2
First recorded in 1895–1900

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use red light in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for red light

red light

noun
  1. a signal to stop, esp a red traffic signal in a system of traffic lights

  2. a danger signal

  1. an instruction to stop or discontinue

    • a red lamp in a window of or outside a house indicating that it is a brothel

    • (as modifier): a red-light district

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012