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

Today’s Paper | Subscribe See more on: Lady Gaga How These New Yorkers Spend Their Sundays An Emergency Veterinarian: Dr. Carly Fox doesn’t need an alarm for a day of pancakes with her children, cats falling out of windows and red-light therapy. —Tammy Lagorce, New York Times, 15 Feb. 2025

Each guest room features private patios, plunge pools, cozy fire pits and spa suites with state-of-the-art amenities like soaking tubs and red-light therapy. —Caroline Tell, Forbes, 23 Jan. 2025

Noun

This portable skincare wand is compact enough to take with you and use on the go, enhancing the skin with red light therapy, galvanic currents, facial massage, and therapeutic warmth. —Kiana Murden, Vogue, 7 Feb. 2025

Wim Hof breathing, cold plunging, sauna, red light therapy supplementation. —Janelle Ash, Fox News, 30 Jan. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1894, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1849, in the meaning defined above