1
a
: any of various devices for producing light or sometimes heat: such as
(1)
: a vessel with a wick for burning an inflammable liquid (such as oil) to produce light
(2)
: a glass bulb or tube that emits light produced by electricity (such as an incandescent light bulb or fluorescent lamp)
b
: a decorative appliance housing a lamp that is usually covered by a shade
2
: a celestial body
3
: a source of intellectual or spiritual illumination
4
: eye sense 1a
—usually used in plural
Examples of lamp in a Sentence
I didn't realize it had gotten so dark in the room until my wife came in and turned on the lamp, momentarily blinding me.
Recent Examples on the Web
At the time these stones were fashioned, light was often provided by candlelight or gas lamps and lapidaries, or gem cutters, did everything by hand, meaning that their work was not always perfectly symmetrical.
—
Emilia Petrarca, New Yorker, 2 Jan. 2026
The lamps also accentuated the covert connection with the Berlin exhibition, because the Löwenbrücke is very close to the Gaslaternen-Freilichtmuseum, an open-air display of streetlamps in the Tiergarten.
—Javier Montes, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026
Saab recommends combining overhead lighting with wall sconces and table lamps to lend more flexibility while also avoiding harsh glares.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 31 Dec. 2025
Unique vintage lamps will become focal points in homes next year—especially for those wanting more layered spaces.
—Shagun Khare, Martha Stewart, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lamp
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Emilia Petrarca, New Yorker, 2 Jan. 2026
The lamps also accentuated the covert connection with the Berlin exhibition, because the Löwenbrücke is very close to the Gaslaternen-Freilichtmuseum, an open-air display of streetlamps in the Tiergarten.
—Javier Montes, Artforum, 1 Jan. 2026
Saab recommends combining overhead lighting with wall sconces and table lamps to lend more flexibility while also avoiding harsh glares.
—Patricia Shannon, Southern Living, 31 Dec. 2025
Unique vintage lamps will become focal points in homes next year—especially for those wanting more layered spaces.
—Shagun Khare, Martha Stewart, 31 Dec. 2025
See All Example Sentences for lamp
Cite this Entry
“Lamp.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lamp. Accessed 5 Jan. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
lamp
noun
: a device for producing light or heat
Medical Definition
lamp
noun
: any of various devices for producing light or heat see kromayer lamp, slit lamp
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