lights-out

noun

ˈlīts-ˈau̇t 

1

: a command or signal for putting out lights

2

: a prescribed bedtime for persons living under discipline

Examples of lights-out in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

If the quarterback and passing game can start pulling their weight with a great defense and a lights-out kicker, this team gets real dangerous, real fast. — Jon Krawczynski, New York Times, 2 Oct. 2026

Wisconsin residents can sign up to receive lights-out alerts online. — Blaise Mesa, jsonline.com, 26 Aug. 2026

Bill Newman, Industry Executive adviser at SAP, spoke to me about lights-out manufacturing. — Ray Fernandez, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026

English goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was playing lights-out against the barrage. — Miami Herald, 16 July 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1864, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for lights-out

• about
• bailout
• blackout
• blowout
• breakout
• burnout
• buyout
• checkout
• closeout
• cutout
• devout
• dropout