lamp
LAMP
Lamp (noun) means a device that produces light, whether electric, oil-burning, or otherwise. Example: “He placed a small lamp on the desk so he could read late.”
noun
1
A device that produces light, whether electric, oil-burning, or otherwise.
"He placed a small lamp on the desk so he could read late."
"She switched on the bedside lamp to read."
"The old oil lamp flickered in the draughty cottage."
How to use lamp
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAny device — electric or otherwise — designed to give off light.
Common pairings
table lamp
desk lamp
oil lamp
lamp post
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Word forms
- Plural
- lamps
- Third person singular
- lamps
- Past tense
- lamped
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
He placed a small _____ on the desk so he could read late.
Etymology
From Old French lampe, from Latin lampas, from Greek lampas ("torch, light"), ultimately from a root meaning "to shine."
Synonyms
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Rhymes for lamp
See all rhymes for lamp →Frequently asked questions
What does “lamp” mean?
The word “lamp” means a device that produces light, whether electric, oil-burning, or otherwise. In plain terms, any device — electric or otherwise — designed to give off light.
How do you pronounce “lamp”?
“Lamp” is pronounced LAMP (/ˈlæ̝mp/ in IPA).
How do you use “lamp” in a sentence?
Here is “lamp” used in a sentence: “She switched on the bedside lamp to read.”
What part of speech is “lamp”?
“Lamp” is a noun.
Where does the word “lamp” come from?
The word “lamp” comes from Latin. From Old French lampe, from Latin lampas, from Greek lampas ("torch, light"), ultimately from a root meaning "to shine.".
Is “lamp” a common word?
“Lamp” is a fairly common word in modern English, usually learned at around the A2 level.
What is the difference between a lamp and a light?
"Light" is the general word for anything that provides illumination — and for the illumination itself — while a "lamp" is a specific device made to produce light, typically with a base, a bulb, and often a shade, such as a desk lamp or floor lamp. Every lamp is a light, but ceiling fixtures, headlights, and the sun are lights you would not normally call lamps.
What is the difference between a lamp and a lantern?
A lamp is a light-producing device usually designed to sit or stand in one place, while a lantern is portable, with a case protecting the flame or bulb so it can be carried or hung outdoors. Historically both burned oil, but in modern use "lantern" implies portability and an enclosed light source.
Is a lamp the same as a bulb?
In everyday English, no — the lamp is the whole fitting and the bulb is the replaceable part that glows. In the lighting industry, however, "lamp" is the technical term for the light source itself, so a box of "LED lamps" simply contains what most people call bulbs.
Do you say "turn on the lamp" or "open the lamp"?
Standard English uses "turn on/off" or "switch on/off" with lamps: "She turned off the lamp." "Open the lamp" is a common learner error carried over from languages that use open/close verbs for electrical devices; in English, opening a lamp would suggest physically taking it apart.
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