flashlight

noun

flash·​light ˈflash-ˌlīt 

1

: a small battery-operated portable electric light

2

a

: a sudden bright artificial light used in taking photographic pictures

b

: a photograph taken by such a light

Examples of flashlight in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Kemp asked residents to gather water, food, batteries, flashlights and other necessities. — CBS News, 8 Oct. 2026

When the door finally opened, an agitated young man who resembled Ryan Gosling (Rett Keeter) shined an LED flashlight directly into my eyes, a gesture that would become familiar over the next hour. — Seth Abramovitch, HollywoodReporter, 5 Oct. 2026

In the winter months of 1973, kids were taking flashlights to the pitch-black bus stops in the morning. — Arkansas Online, 3 Oct. 2026

With phones, keys, multi-tools, flashlights, water bottles and charging cables, the modern trouser and jacket pocket has a tough job coping. — New Atlas, 29 Sep. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1887, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Rhymes for flashlight

• affright
• airtight
• albite
• alight
• alright
• aplite
• aright
• bainite
• birthright
• bobwhite
• bornite
• bullfight

Kids Definition

flashlight

noun

flash·​light ˈflash-ˌlīt 

: a small battery-operated portable electric light