klieg light

noun

ˈklēg- How to pronounce klieg light (audio)
variants or less commonly kleig light
Synonyms of klieg lightnext
: a carbon arc lamp used especially formerly in making movies
—often now used figuratively
By issuing the code, Chief Justice Roberts may well have turned off, or at least lowered the intensity of, those klieg lights of public scrutiny.—Bill Newman

Examples of klieg light in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Payton was meant for a blue blood organization like the Broncos, suited for the klieg lights. — Troy Renck, Denver Post, 30 Oct. 2025 The Bidens have lived through the death of one son, the addiction struggles of another, several brutal campaigns, and the klieg lights of a presidency. — Julia Terruso, Time, 11 June 2026 The Oscars have always been Hollywood’s most glamorous therapy session, where the industry lays bare its collective psyche under the klieg lights of the red carpet. — Clayton Davis, Variety, 2 Oct. 2025 But with Authentic both looking at owning brands that drive $100 billion in retail sales, and doing so under the klieg lights of Wall Street, the company is going to face more scrutiny than ever. — Evan Clark, Footwear News, 20 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for klieg light

Word History

Etymology

John H. Kliegl †1959 & Anton T. Kliegl †1927 German-born American lighting experts

First Known Use

1919, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of klieg light was in 1919

Rhymes for klieg light

See All Rhymes for klieg light

Browse Nearby Words

Klickitat
klieg light
Klimt
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Klieg light.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/klieg%20light. Accessed 7 Jul. 2026.

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Kids Definition

klieg light

noun
variants or kleig light
ˈklēg- How to pronounce klieg light (audio)
: a very bright lamp used in taking motion pictures

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