lights-out

noun

ˈlīts-ˈau̇t How to pronounce lights-out (audio)
Synonyms of lights-outnext
1
: a command or signal for putting out lights
2
: a prescribed bedtime for persons living under discipline

Examples of lights-out 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.
Even though the pitching hasn’t been lights-out, starters in this league are taking on more than what’s typically associated with the role. — Emily Ohman, New York Times, 26 Aug. 2026 Bill Newman, Industry Executive adviser at SAP, spoke to me about lights-out manufacturing. — Ray Fernandez, Forbes.com, 7 Aug. 2026 English goalkeeper Jordan Pickford was playing lights-out against the barrage. — Miami Herald, 16 July 2026 No wake-up bell or lights-out hour. — Lydia Mansel, Southern Living, 28 May 2026 See All Example Sentences for lights-out

Word History

First Known Use

1864, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of lights-out was in 1864

Rhymes for lights-out

See All Rhymes for lights-out

Browse Nearby Words

lightsome
lights-out
light speed
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lights-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lights-out. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
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