flashlight

[flash-lahyt] /ˈflæʃˌlaɪt/

noun

Also called, especially British, torch. a small, portable electric lamp powered by dry batteries or a tiny generator.

a light that flashes, as a lighthouse beacon.

any source of artificial light as used in flash photography.

Origin

1885-90; flash + light¹

Examples from the web for flashlight

The independent political leadership will have find its way with a flashlight, wherever, that ends.
Once, during power outage, candidate shown rare-book stacks by flashlight.
He rolled into position and gave me the signal to turn on the flashlight.
He was the guy with the gun and the flashlight, he wouldn't hear of it.
The night watchman was on his feet, saluting with one hand, his flashlight in the other showing her the way.
Pack mosquito repellent, a flashlight, and an extra camera battery.
Next, the laryngoscope-a flashlight with a big scoop at one end.
As dusk falls, she reaches the ligaments behind the bulla and calls for a flashlight.
Cognitive-science theories, at best, merely shine a flashlight onto one of many factors that result in complex behavior.
It's as if you were to look at a sphere in an dark room while illuminating it with a flashlight held close to your own head.

British Dictionary definitions for flashlight

/ˈflæʃˌlaɪt/

noun

(mainly US & Canadian) a small portable electric lamp powered by one or more dry batteries Also called (in Britain and certain other countries) torch

(photog) the brief bright light emitted by an electronic flash unit Sometimes shortened to flash

(mainly US & Canadian) a light that flashes, used for signalling, in a lighthouse, etc

Word Origin and History for flashlight

American English for what the British might call an electric torch; 1919, from flash + light (n.).