lights-out

noun

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.
Diaz has been lights-out for the Mets this season and made the National League All-Star team. Ryan Canfield, FOXNews.com, 25 July 2025 Taken together, this data showed a night sky that was more than 50% darker on average during the lights-out period. Laurie Winkless, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025 That's especially true if free agent acquisition Duncan Robinson, a career 39.7 3-point shooter, can replace Beasley's lights-out shooting. Tyler Everett, MSNBC Newsweek, 18 July 2025 The Thunder have been lights-out from a drafting and player-development standpoint in recent years. Bryan Toporek, Forbes.com, 11 July 2025 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

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Cite this Entry

“Lights-out.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lights-out. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.

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