electric light bulb
1
2.1
- noun
- /ɪˈlɛktrɪk laɪt bʌlb/
:
bombilla eléctrica
- After replacing the burned-out electric light bulb, the kitchen was bright and inviting again.
Examples
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The major inventions, like the airplane, the electric light bulb, and computers, got here without subsidy or direction from the government.
Blog text (19) -
Not a telephone or an electric light bulb in the house.
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Just like an electric light bulb.
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The invention of the electric light bulb would be a recent event to him.
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It could make prints by using the much less intense light from a kerosene lamp or from an electric light bulb.
Academic text (2007) -
For example, Thomas Edison, the inventor of the electric light bulb, was a deliberate and cognitive creator.
Blog text (26) -
The lighting industry is facing the most notable transition since the introduction of the electric light bulb in the 19th century, mainly due to the rapid emergence of LEDs offering potential energy savings of 80 percent.
Blog text (25) -
Berger reported that a common Chinese farmer has such luxuries as a single bare electric light bulb and a water faucet he shares with his neighbors.
Academic text (1999) -
Thomas Edison invented the electric light bulb in 1879, using a chemical battery to power his experiments, but he recognized the need for central generating plants and distribution systems to provide electricity to customers.
Academic text (2000) -
The old room had only a single electric light bulb hanging from the ceiling, casting a warm glow.
Synonyms
166
1.3
A glass part of a lamp that makes light when electricity flows through it
62
1.8
A glass object that makes light when electricity passes through it
31
1.1
A small glass lamp with a wire inside that makes light when electricity flows
12
4.4
A light bulb that makes light by a hot wire
9
2.0
A light that gets power from wires, often from a bulb
1
4.1
A light bulb that makes light by heating a thin wire inside glass
1
1.7
A light that uses electricity to shine
How Bright
Surface Forms
Morphology
The meaning is fully compositional: 'electric' (using electricity) + 'light' (visible illumination) + 'bulb' (a lamp/enclosure) combine straightforwardly to denote a lamp that produces light by electricity. This follows standard adjective+noun and noun-noun compounding patterns found in many languages, so a B1 learner who knows the constituent words will readily infer the meaning.
Etymology
Electric light bulb comes from the clear glass bulb that holds a thin wire which glows when electricity passes through it. That simple image of a small glass bulb giving light explains why it means 'a lamp that uses electricity'.