red-light

1 of 2

adjective

ˈred-ˈlīt 

variants or less commonly red light

: relating to or being an area with many brothels or sex workers

Just inside the entrance to "Picasso Érotique," the exhibition's designer has recreated an imagined bordello bedroom as one might have existed in the red-light district of Barcelona in the era of Picasso's youth.

—Arthur C. Danto

In the beginning, entertainment ran more along the lines of saloons, card games and red light activities.

—Jennifer Houghton

red light

2 of 2

noun

: a warning signal

especially : a red traffic signal

Synonyms

Noun

• caution
• red flag
• tip-off
• tocsin
• wake-up call
• warning

Examples of red-light in a Sentence

Noun

the reporter took her glower as a red light and stopped asking questions

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

During her facials, De Feis, who personalizes each facial using modalities like red-light therapy, peels, and dermaplaning, runs through each client’s skin-care routine. —Yasmin Gagné, Curbed, 5 July 2024

Here, your options range from a relaxing therapeutic massage, which melted my stress away and left me smelling like fresh air, to a red-light therapy sauna experience. —Nicole Hoey, Robb Report, 25 Oct. 2024

Noun

Officials said the Uber driver stopped at a red light and began praying in Arabic. —Filip Timotija, The Hill, 31 Oct. 2024

The downtown restaurant-meets-club was transformed for one night only into a multi-floor party venue bathed in deep red light. —Freya Drohan, Vogue, 29 Oct. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1894, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1849, in the meaning defined above