bulb
noun
\ ˈbəlb
\
\
plural bulbs
Definition of bulb
1a
: a resting stage of a plant (such as the lily, onion, hyacinth, or tulip) that is usually formed underground and consists of a short stem base bearing one or more buds enclosed in overlapping membranous or fleshy leaves
b
: a fleshy structure (such as a tuber or corm) resembling a bulb in appearance
c
: a plant having or developing from a bulb
2
: a bulb-shaped part
specifically
: a glass envelope enclosing the light source of an electric lamp or such an envelope together with the light source it encloses
3
: a rounded or swollen anatomical structure
4
: a camera setting that indicates that the shutter can be opened by pressing on the release and closed by ending the pressure
Illustration of bulb
bulb 1a: 1 hyacinth, 2 onion, 3 tulip, 4 lily
Keep scrolling for more
Other Words from bulb
bulbed
\ ˈbəlbd
\
adjective
\
adjective
flasks with bulbed necks
bulblike
\ ˈbəlb-ˌlīk
\
or bulb-like
adjective
\
or bulb-like
adjective
… a large underground rhizome, a bulblike growth that extends massive roots from its underside.
— Elizabeth Schneider
Examples of bulb in a Sentence
the bulb of the thermometer
Recent Examples on the Web
Aim to plant the flowers in the late summer to early fall: the Fort Worth Star-Telegram says August, while Plant Care Today advises that planting Magic Lily bulbs in September or October is ideal. — Elizabeth Gulino, House Beautiful, "Magic Lilies Are the Fun, Colorful Rosy Pink Flowers You’ll Want to Plant This September," 12 Aug. 2019 The site also compares the flight to individual actions that reduce emissions like using LED bulbs, going vegetarian, and giving up driving. — Umair Irfan, Vox, "This website shows you exactly how guilty you should feel about flying," 7 Aug. 2019 Both Hoyt and Wiliams suggest buying bulbs that emit warm white light, rather than severe yellow or white light. — Washington Post, "Expert advice for making the most out of a small balcony," 6 June 2019 Avid plantsman and garden designer Richard Hartlage knows a thing or two about orchestrating color — and bulbs — in the landscape. — Lorene Edwards Forkner, The Seattle Times, "Richard Hartlage composes kaleidoscopic landscapes of bulbs — for Chihuly Garden and Glass, and his home," 13 Apr. 2019 Also plant summer-flowering bulbs: alliums, cannas, hostas and daylilies. — idahostatesman, "A gardening to do list for March and April | Idaho Statesman," 21 Mar. 2018 For the best flowers, buy new tulip, lily, and iris bulbs each year. — Kyle Johnson, Sunset, "10 Flower Farmer Secrets to Get Your Garden Blooming," 22 Jan. 2018 Hanging bulbs top the dining room and galley-style kitchen, and walls of glass line the expansive living room. — Jack Flemming, Los Angeles Times, "Josh Hutcherson’s Midcentury treehouse seeks $3.5 million in Hollywood Hills," 5 Aug. 2019 When the city began considering new streetlights, LED lights only came with bright white bulbs that gave off a cool-toned blue light. — Katherine Rosenberg-douglas, chicagotribune.com, "West Nile virus could see an uptick in Chicago, a new study suggests. A culprit that’s saving the city millions could be to blame.," 30 July 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bulb.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for bulb
bulb
noun
English Language Learners Definition of bulb
: a rounded part of some plants that is under the ground and that grows into a new plant during the growing season
: a part that has a rounded shape
See the full definition for bulb in the English Language Learners Dictionary
bulb
noun
\ ˈbəlb
\
\
Kids Definition of bulb
1
: light bulb
2
: a dormant stage of a plant that is formed underground and consists of a very short stem with one or more flower buds surrounded by special thick leaves
3
: a plant structure (as a tuber) that is somewhat like a bulb
4
: a rounded object or part
the bulb of a thermometer
bulb
noun
\ ˈbəlb
\
\
Medical Definition of bulb
1
: a rounded dilation or expansion of something cylindrical
the bulb of a thermometer
especially
: a rounded or pear-shaped enlargement on a small base
the bulb of an eyedropper
2
: a rounded part: as
a
: a rounded enlargement of one end of a part — see bulb of the penis, bulb of the vestibule, end bulb, hair bulb, olfactory bulb
c
: a thick-walled muscular enlargement of the pharynx of certain nematode worms
Keep scrolling for more