noun
searchlight
SURCH-lyt
Searchlight (noun) means a powerful lamp that projects a controllable, focused beam of light, often used at night for surveillance or signalling. Example: “The prison's searchlight swept across the yard.”
noun
1
A powerful lamp that projects a controllable, focused beam of light, often used at night for surveillance or signalling.
"The prison's searchlight swept across the yard."
How to use searchlight
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA strong, directional light used to scan an area, typically at night.
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Word forms
- Plural
- searchlights
- Third person singular
- searchlights
- Past tense
- searchlighted, searchlit
Fill the gap
Can you complete this real example?
The prison's _____ swept across the yard.
Etymology
From search + light.
Frequently asked questions
What does “searchlight” mean?
The word “searchlight” means a powerful lamp that projects a controllable, focused beam of light, often used at night for surveillance or signalling. In plain terms, a strong, directional light used to scan an area, typically at night.
How do you pronounce “searchlight”?
“Searchlight” is pronounced SURCH-lyt (/ˈsɜːtʃˌlaɪt/ in IPA).
How do you use “searchlight” in a sentence?
Here is “searchlight” used in a sentence: “The prison's searchlight swept across the yard.”
What part of speech is “searchlight”?
“Searchlight” is a noun.
