A bulb is the glass part of an electric lamp, which gives out light when electricity passes through it.
The stairwell was lit by a single bulb.
Synonyms: light bulb More Synonyms of bulb
2. countable noun
A bulb is a root shaped like an onion that grows into a flower or plant.
...tulip bulbs.
More Synonyms of bulb
bulb in British English
(bʌlb)
noun
1.
a rounded organ of vegetative reproduction in plants such as the tulip and onion: a flattened stem bearing a central shoot surrounded by fleshy nutritive inner leaves and thin brown outer leaves
Compare corm
2.
a plant, such as a hyacinth or daffodil, that grows from a bulb
3. light bulb
4.
a rounded part of an instrument such as a syringe or thermometer
5. anatomy
a rounded expansion of a cylindrical organ or part, such as the medulla oblongata
6. Also called: bulbous bow
a bulbous protuberance at the forefoot of a ship to reduce turbulence
Word origin
C16: from Latin bulbus, from Greek bolbos onion
bulb in American English
(bʌlb)
noun
1.
an underground bud that sends down roots and consists of a very short stem covered with leafy scales or layers, as in a lily, onion or hyacinth
2.
a corm, tuber, or tuberous root resembling a bulb, as in a crocus, dahlia or cyclamen
3.
any plant that grows from a bulb
4.
anything shaped like a bulb; rounded thing or enlarged part
an electric light bulb, the bulb of a syringe
5. Anatomy
a.
an enlargement on some tissues, organs, or tubes, as at the root of a hair
b. Obsolete
medulla oblongata
Word origin
ME < L bulbus < Gr bolbos
Examples of 'bulb' in a sentence
bulb
Choosing yoghurt has become as baffling as buying light bulbs.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
It's also time to put in tulip bulbs and bring in tender plants.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Continuing with the small stuff, you would be amazed how much difference changing your light bulbs can make.
The Sun (2016)
When planting spring flowering bulbs in a container, put plants in first so bulbs are not damaged by the trowel.
The Sun (2016)
If you wait until next year, plant the bulbs about 10cm apart.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
Change light bulb 1. Ensure the light switch is in the off position.
The Sun (2017)
The new owners fitted an electric bulb and put it in the hallway of their North Wales home.
The Sun (2016)
She does tell one good joke though:'How many performance artists does it take to change a light bulb?
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
This weekend, I will be on my knees planting spring bulbs.
Times, Sunday Times (2016)
You often find that once the bulbs are established they will be left alone: squirrels seem more interested in newly planted bulbs, especially crocus and tulips.
The Sun (2016)
You can buy mole traps to set inside their tunnels or try planting a deterrent bulb.
The Sun (2012)
The best bargains are cut flowers or blooming bulbs.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
The design showed electric bulbs but they ran out of money.
Baxter, Stephen Anti-Ice (1993)
Would you charge round to change a light bulb?
Times, Sunday Times (2007)
Each lamp comes with a free energy saving bulb.
Times, Sunday Times (2009)
Tulip bulbs should be planted over the next few weeks.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
Continue feeding after the flower fades to build up the bulb for flowering again next year.
The Sun (2015)
Electric bulbs above the audience flicker and the crackle of static fills the air.
Times, Sunday Times (2008)
There was a lone bare light bulb hanging from the shed ceiling.
Times, Sunday Times (2014)
The most common reason for failure to flower is planting the bulb too deep.
The Sun (2008)
Buy bulbs for spring flowers from the garden centre along with a nice pot and compost.
The Sun (2010)
Their next promo will feature them trying to change a light bulb.
The Sun (2013)
The bulbs can be planted out in the garden where they should flower for many moreyears.
The Sun (2011)
How many psychiatrists does it take to change a light bulb?
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
Large tulip bulbs are more likely to flower year after year while the smaller size flower once and die.
The Sun (2009)
Slice the fennel bulb and onion finely into ribbons, using a mandolin if possible.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
It is time to sow Japanese bulb onions for harvesting early next summer.
Times, Sunday Times (2010)
Many tulip bulbs perform best if they are lifted, dried and stored each year after flowering.
Times, Sunday Times (2015)
When indoor bulbs finish flowering, remove just the head and allow to die down naturally.
The Sun (2013)
WHEN is the best time to plant tulip bulbs?
The Sun (2010)
Word lists with
bulb
terms used in botany
In other languages
bulb
British English: bulb /bʌlb/ NOUN
plant A bulb is an onion-shaped root that grows into a plant.
...tulip bulbs.
American English: bulb plant
Arabic: بَصَلَة النَبات
Brazilian Portuguese: bulbo
Chinese: 球茎
Croatian: lukovica
Czech: cibulka rostliny
Danish: blomsterløg
Dutch: bloembol
European Spanish: bulbo
Finnish: kasvisipuli
French: bulbe
German: Blumenzwiebel
Greek: βόλβος
Italian: bulbo
Japanese: 球根 plant
Korean: 구근
Norwegian: (blomster)løk
Polish: cebulka
European Portuguese: bolbo
Romanian: bulb
Russian: луковица
Latin American Spanish: bulbo
Swedish: lök blomsterlök
Thai: หัวของต้นไม้
Turkish: soğan bitki
Ukrainian: цибулина
Vietnamese: củ
British English: bulb /bʌlb/ NOUN
electric A bulb is the glass part of an electric lamp which gives out light when electricity passes through it.
The room was lit by a single bulb.
American English: bulb electricity
Arabic: لـَمْبَة كَهْرَبائِيّ
Brazilian Portuguese: lâmpada
Chinese: 灯泡
Croatian: žarulja
Czech: žárovka
Danish: elektrisk pære
Dutch: lichtpeertje
European Spanish: bombilla
Finnish: hehkulamppu
French: ampoule électricité
German: Glühbirne
Greek: λαμπτήρας
Italian: lampadina
Japanese: 電球 electricity
Korean: 전구
Norwegian: lyspære
Polish: żarówka
European Portuguese: lâmpada
Romanian: bec
Russian: электрическая лампочка
Latin American Spanish: bombilla
Swedish: glödlampa
Thai: หลอดไฟฟ้า
Turkish: ampul elektrik
Ukrainian: лампа
Vietnamese: bóng đèn
All related terms of 'bulb'
bulb fly
a hoverfly , the larvae of which live in bulbs and can become serious pests , esp the yellow and black narcissus bulb fly ( Meridon equestris )
bulb mite
a widespread mite , Rhizaglophus eclinops , that tunnels in the bulbs of lilies and other plants
dim bulb
a person who is not clever or intelligent
hair bulb
the end of a hair follicle containing active hair-growing cells; situated under the skin
light bulb
A light bulb or bulb is the round glass part of an electric light or lamp which light shines from.
bayonet bulb
an electric light bulb which is inserted into the socket against spring pressure and turned so that pins on its side engage in slots in the socket
olfactory bulb
the anterior and slightly enlarged end of the olfactory tract , from which the cranial nerves concerned with the sense of smell originate
flashbulb
A flashbulb is a small bulb that can be fixed to a camera . It makes a bright flash of light so that you can take photographs indoors .
bayonet-fitting bulb
an electric light bulb which is inserted into the socket against spring pressure and turned so that pins on its side engage in slots in the socket
dry-bulb temperature
A dry-bulb temperature is the temperature of a dry surface in a vapor-gas environment .
dry-bulb thermometer
an ordinary thermometer used alongside a wet-bulb thermometer to obtain relative humidity
wet-bulb temperature
The wet-bulb temperature is the temperature reached by a small amount of liquid evaporating in a large amount of an unsaturated air-vapor mixture .
wet-bulb thermometer
a thermometer the bulb of which is covered by a moist muslin bag , used together with a dry-bulb thermometer to measure humidity
wet-and-dry-bulb thermometer
a type of hygrometer consisting of two thermometers , one of which has a dry bulb and the other a bulb that is kept moist and ventilated . The difference between the readings of the thermometers gives an indication of atmospheric humidity
psychrometer
a type of hygrometer consisting of two thermometers , one of which has a dry bulb and the other a bulb that is kept moist and ventilated . The difference between the readings of the thermometers gives an indication of atmospheric humidity
Chinese translation of 'bulb'
bulb
(bʌlb)
n(c)
(Elec) 电(電)灯(燈)泡 (diàndēngpào) (个(個), gè)
(Bot) 球茎(莖) (qiújīng) (个(個), gè)
1 (noun)
Definition
the onion-shaped base of the stem of some plants, which sends down roots