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Definition of flashbulb

flashbulb

/ˈflæʃˌbʌlb/
flash · bulb
Plural:flashbulbs
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flashbulb Lexical Profile

flashbulb Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

A small glass bulb containing a fine metal wire or foil that produces a brilliant, brief burst of light when an electric current passes through it, historically used as a single-use light source in photography.

Example

"Before the advent of modern electronic flashes, reporters covering nighttime events would leave a trail of discarded flashbulbs in their wake."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for flashbulb

• Nearby Words

flash
flashback
flashbang
flashbulb
flashcard
flasher
flashflood

Word Origin & Etymology

Formed as a compound of 'flash' and 'bulb'. It originated in the late 1920s to describe the newly invented enclosed glass bulbs that provided safer, single-use artificial lighting for photography, replacing dangerous magnesium flash powder.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Flashbulb. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Nov 5, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/flashbulb
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