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.
Hart finished the year at 33% from deep — 34% on wide-open attempts — with shooting nights to close the regular season that swung between lights-out and lid-on. Kristian Winfield, New York Daily News, 16 Apr. 2025 Fried has been lights-out so far (17 1/3 innings, 1.56 ERA) while Rodon has been not so great (23 innings, 5.48 ERA). Arick Wierson, MSNBC Newsweek, 16 Apr. 2025 The Rangers are 8-2 to start the season and their starting rotation has been lights-out with the third-lowest ERA (2.68) in the Majors. Lawrence Dow, Fort Worth Star-Telegram, 7 Apr. 2025 Olympic Champion Jade Carey was lights-out on Friday, leading her Oregon State Beavers to the Regional Final. Caroline Price, Forbes.com, 5 Apr. 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 25 Apr. 2025.

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