red light

¹

noun

1. a red lamp, used as a traffic signal to mean “stop.”

2. an order or directive to halt an action, project, etc..

   There's a red light on all unnecessary expenses.

3. a children's running game in which players must stop when “Red light!” is called.

4. a signal of danger; warning.

red-light

²

[red-lahyt]

verb (used with object)

red-lighted, red-lighting 

1. Informal.,  to stop or deter by means of or as if with a red light.

red light

noun

1. a signal to stop, esp a red traffic signal in a system of traffic lights

2. a danger signal

3. an instruction to stop or discontinue

4. 1. a red lamp in a window of or outside a house indicating that it is a brothel

   2. ( as modifier )

      a red-light district

Word History and Origins

Origin of red light¹

First recorded in 1840–50

Origin of red light²

First recorded in 1895–1900

Example Sentences

Four sleeping pods are due to be installed, while there will also be an area for red light therapy and also dry flotation tanks.

From BBC

I’ll also do 10 minutes of red light therapy and I’ll maybe meditate for a few minutes to calm myself down, then go to bed.

From Los Angeles Times

A splash of synth violins and drums follows, as red lights strobe over the fans gathered at Delhi's Indira Gandhi Arena stadium.

From BBC

"We worked in complete darkness under red light so we didn't disturb them," says Dr Freer.

From BBC

He claims mushrooms, ketamine and ecstasy were kept in a small black Gucci bag alongside baby oil, lubricant and red lights.

From BBC

Related Words

• traffic signal www.thesaurus.com