noun
Common
lights
lyts
Lights (noun) means the lungs of an animal, especially when used as food. Example: “The old recipe called for lamb's lights, simmered slowly with onions and oatmeal.”
noun
1
The lungs of an animal, especially when used as food.
"The old recipe called for lamb's lights, simmered slowly with onions and oatmeal."
"Traditional haggis is made from the heart, liver and lights of a sheep."
"The butcher sold sheep's lights for pet food."
How to use lights
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishAn old term for animal lungs, mainly used by butchers.
When to use it
Rare and mostly limited to butchery and older cookbooks.
Vocabulary Flow
Build your vocabulary from words like lights.
Vocabulary Flow serves the next word, and the next — meaning, pronunciation and an example each time. Practice at your level, or learn English in your own language.
Start vocabulary practice
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The old recipe called for lamb's _____, simmered slowly with onions and oatmeal.
Synonyms
View more →
lungs
offal
Related words
Rhymes for lights
See all rhymes for lights →Frequently asked questions
What does “lights” mean?
The word “lights” means the lungs of an animal, especially when used as food. In plain terms, an old term for animal lungs, mainly used by butchers.
How do you pronounce “lights”?
“Lights” is pronounced lyts (/laɪts/ in IPA).
How do you use “lights” in a sentence?
Here is “lights” used in a sentence: “The butcher sold sheep's lights for pet food.”
What part of speech is “lights”?
“Lights” is a noun.
Is “lights” a common word?
“Lights” is a fairly common word in modern English.
Why are lungs called 'lights'?
The name comes from the lungs being remarkably light in weight compared with other organs. Full of air spaces, they float and feel far lighter than the heart or liver. This old sense of 'light', meaning not heavy, gave butchers and cooks the term 'lights' for animal lungs used as food.
Which animals' lights are eaten?
Lights most often come from sheep, pigs, and cattle, and sometimes calves. They are a traditional cut of offal in many cuisines, though less popular today. In parts of Britain they appear in dishes like faggots, and elsewhere they feature in sausages, stews, or traditional preparations such as haggis.
What are lights used for?
Historically, lights were eaten by people in offal dishes, sausages, and rustic recipes that made use of the whole animal. Today they are more commonly sold as pet food, especially dried lung treats for dogs. Their use has shifted from the human plate to the animal bowl in most Western countries.
Featured in
Vocabulary lists that include lights:
