lantern

noun

lan·​tern ˈlan-tərn 

often attributive

1

: a usually portable protective case for a light with transparent openings compare chinese lantern

2

a

obsolete : lighthouse

b

: the chamber in a lighthouse containing the light

c

: a structure with glazed or open sides above an opening in a roof for light or ventilation

d

: a small tower or cupola or one stage of a cupola

3

: projector sense 2b

Examples of lantern in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The Funghi lantern from Charlap Hyman & Herrero, hand-painted by artist Pilar Almon, glows like an orange moon, casting a halo over the 1970s French Shogun coffee table by Roger Capron and the vintage Tuareg mat from North Africa. —Vaishnavi Nayel Talawadekar, Architectural Digest, 27 Feb. 2025

Here, guests can enjoy craft cocktails at the swim-up bar, take their meals in shaded dining areas lit by rattan lanterns, and rest in cabana-like alcoves on plush day beds decorated with handcrafted textiles. —Mae Hamilton, Travel + Leisure, 25 Feb. 2025

Zelensky also shared a somber video of top European leaders placing lanterns at a Kyiv memorial, decked out with dozens of flags of Ukraine and its allies. —Daria Tarasova-Markina, CNN, 24 Feb. 2025

The Depths are a murky environment with unique gameplay mechanics tied to darkness and light, so players better not skimp on lanterns and torches. —Tom Rogers, Newsweek, 20 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle English lanterne, from Anglo-French, from Latin lanterna, from Greek lamptēr, from lampein to shine — more at lamp

First Known Use

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing lantern

• Chinese lantern
• dark lantern
• friar's lantern
• jack-o'-lantern
• lantern fish
• lantern fly
• lantern jaw
• magic lantern
• spotted lantern fly

Kids Definition

lantern

noun

lan·​tern ˈlant-ərn 

1

: a usually portable light with a protective covering

2

: projector