light bulb
noun/ˈlaɪtˌbʌlb/
Etymology From light + bulb First attested in 1885.
1
An evacuated glass bulb containing a metal filament which is heated by electrical resistance to produce light.
- Atticus did something that interested us: he came into the livingroom carrying a long electrical extension cord. There was a light bulb on the end.1960 July 11, Harper Lee, chapter 15, in To Kill a Mockingbird, Philadelphia, Pa.; New York, N.Y.: J[oshua] B[allinger] Lippincott Company, →OCLC:
2
Broadly An article that resembles such a bulb and converts electricity to light by any process.
- a fluorescent light bulb
- an LED light bulb
3
Figuratively Used in reference to the sudden arrival of a realization, an inspiration, an idea, or the like.
- a light-bulb moment
- Figuratively speaking, a light-bulb flashed over Galvin's head early this year, and in March–along […]1949, Forbes, volume 64, page 18:
1 more example
- A light bulb went off in my head as I had an incredible idea for a beauty product.2010, Sandy Abrams, Your Idea, Inc., Abrams Media, →ISBN, page xi:
- Derived terms
- light-bulbed, light bulb joke, light-bulb moment