black light

noun

1
: invisible ultraviolet light
2
: a lamp that radiates black light

Examples of black light in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
DayGlo pigments were used extensively during World War II to make fluorescent fabric panels for US ground troops, while DayGlo’s black light paints were used on Navy aircraft carriers to enable planes to land at night. — ArsTechnica, 25 Aug. 2026 See an 850-pound chunk of copper as well as rocks that glow neon under black lights. — Samantha Lande, Midwest Living, 30 July 2026 Many things show up under the black lights used in pet urine detectors. — Bestreviews, Mercury News, 27 July 2026 Both light gray and creamy white paint are used for the cabinetry, while the neutral palette is offset with rattan bar stools and black light fixtures. — Lauren Jones, The Spruce, 6 June 2026 See All Example Sentences for black light

Word History

First Known Use

1913, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of black light was in 1913

Rhymes for black light

See All Rhymes for black light

Browse Nearby Words

black ligament
black light
blacklight trap
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Black light.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/black%20light. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

black light

noun
: invisible ultraviolet or infrared light
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?

Why does English have so many silent letters?

7 Pairs of Commonly Confused Words
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)

12 Lovely and Unusual Words for the Natural World
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All