Illustration of bulb
- 1 hyacinth
- 2 onion
- 3 tulip
- 4 lily
bulb
noun
ˈbəlb 
plural bulbs
1
a
: 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
bulbed
ˈbəlbd
adjective flasks with bulbed necks
bulblike
ˈbəlb-ˌlīk
adjective or bulb-like
… a large underground rhizome, a bulblike growth that extends massive roots from its underside. 
Elizabeth Schneider
Elizabeth Schneider 
Example Sentences
the bulb of the thermometer
Recent Examples on the Web The more lumens in a bulb, the higher the brightness, and vice versa. Madison Yauger, Peoplemag, 30 Aug. 2022 As simple as screwing in a bulb, this floodlight offers 30 feet of detection and 1,500 lumens. Kaz Weida, Popular Mechanics, 29 Aug. 2022 Consider swapping out your regular front porch light for a colored bulb to wash the entire area in a chilling color. Megan Boettcher, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Aug. 2022 This stem and flower end together are called a scape, which is a botanical term for this specific type of long, sturdy stem emerging from a bulb. Susan Brownstein, cleveland, 5 July 2022 To raise the additional $10,000 for the sign, Dolan came up with a sponsorship idea: People could pay $5,000 to buy a whole word or $50 to buy a bulb. Matt Yan, BostonGlobe.com, 8 June 2022 The exception is amaryllis, which will bloom from a bulb in a matter of months. Jada Jackson, House Beautiful, 29 May 2022 Alternatively, make your own by placing a whole fresh garlic bulb in a slow cooker on warm (not low) for 2 to 3 weeks. Foren Clark, Cnn. Recipe From Alice Caporicci, CNN, 15 May 2022 For a small, two-person campsite, look for a lantern with at least 500 lumens, while 1000 lumens (about as bright as a 60-watt incandescent bulb) is enough to illuminate the entire site. Mike Richard, Men's Health, 13 May 2022 See More
Madison Yauger, Peoplemag, 30 Aug. 2022 As simple as screwing in a bulb, this floodlight offers 30 feet of detection and 1,500 lumens. Kaz Weida, Popular Mechanics, 29 Aug. 2022 Consider swapping out your regular front porch light for a colored bulb to wash the entire area in a chilling color. Megan Boettcher, Better Homes & Gardens, 27 Aug. 2022 This stem and flower end together are called a scape, which is a botanical term for this specific type of long, sturdy stem emerging from a bulb. Susan Brownstein, cleveland, 5 July 2022 To raise the additional $10,000 for the sign, Dolan came up with a sponsorship idea: People could pay $5,000 to buy a whole word or $50 to buy a bulb. Matt Yan, BostonGlobe.com, 8 June 2022 The exception is amaryllis, which will bloom from a bulb in a matter of months. Jada Jackson, House Beautiful, 29 May 2022 Alternatively, make your own by placing a whole fresh garlic bulb in a slow cooker on warm (not low) for 2 to 3 weeks. Foren Clark, Cnn. Recipe From Alice Caporicci, CNN, 15 May 2022 For a small, two-person campsite, look for a lantern with at least 500 lumens, while 1000 lumens (about as bright as a 60-watt incandescent bulb) is enough to illuminate the entire site. Mike Richard, Men's Health, 13 May 2022 See More Word History
Etymology
Middle English, from Latin bulbus, from Greek bolbos bulbous plant
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
Phrases Containing bulb
Kids Definition
bulb
noun
ˈbəlb
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
Medical Definition
bulb
noun
ˈbəlb
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
b
: medulla oblongata
broadly : the hindbrain exclusive of the cerebellum
c
: a thick-walled muscular enlargement of the pharynx of certain nematode worms
- meningoencephalitic
- meningoencephalitides
- meningoencephalitis
- meninting
- meninx
- menippes
- meniscectomies
- meniscectomyes
- meniscectomys
- menisci
- meniscia
- menisciums
- meniscoid
- Meniscotheridae
- meniscus
- meniscuses
- menisperma
- Menispermaceae
- menispermaceaes
- menispermaceous
- Menispermum
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- menkind
- Menlo Park