headlight
nounUS /ˈhɛdˌlaɪt/
Etymology From head + light.
1
A bright light, with a lens and reflector, on the front of a motor vehicle (or originally a ship or train), designed to illuminate the road when driving at night; normally one of a pair.
- Improving how headlights are designed and controlled does not have to mean choosing between environmental protection and public safety. Smarter lighting that reduces unnecessary brightness and glare can benefit wildlife, improve driver comfort, and support safer nighttime travel.2026 January 8, Drew Reagan, “A driving source of light pollution: How car headlights are reshaping the nighttime environment”, in DarkSky International:
- Oh, well. She's got... great... casabas.[…]Well, you know. Melons.[…]Hoo-has? Honkers? Hooters? Headlights? Uh... tatas? Teeters? Tweeters? Tom-toms? Tetons?[…]I'm trying to say it. Uh, meatballs. Mangoes. Cream pies. Cupcakes? Uh... bangers? Bouncers? Bulumbas?[…]Bazongas? Breasts! I said it.1993, Quantum Leap, season 5, episode 14, spoken by Al Calavicci (Dean Stockwell):
- Synonyms
- headlamp
- Derived terms
- deer in the headlight syndrome, dipped headlight, halo headlight, headlighted, headlight fish, headlight fluid, headlighting, someone's headlights are on
- Related terms
- dome light, fog lamp, idiot light, indicator, sidelight, taillight
- Hypernyms
- light