A lantern is something you can carry to help you see at night. It often holds a small light or candle and has a case to keep it safe.
She carried a lantern in the dark forest.
The lantern gave light during the storm.
Here, a lantern means a small window or glass part on top of a roof or vehicle. It lets light or air come inside.
The lantern on the roof lets in fresh air.
The church has a lantern to bring in sunlight.
In celebrations, a lantern is a pretty light or object people use to decorate. It can be colorful and carried in parades or festivals.
Children carried colorful lanterns in the parade.
The lanterns lit up the city during the festival.
A lantern can mean the special room or glass part at the top of a lighthouse or tower. It holds the light that guides ships or planes.
The lighthouse lantern can be seen from far away.
The lantern at the tower guides ships at sea.
In animals, a lantern is a part that makes light to help the animal see or attract partners. Fireflies have a glowing lantern on their bodies.
The firefly uses its lantern to glow at night.
Some deep-sea animals have a glowing lantern on their bodies.
Sometimes, 'lantern' is used informally to mean a person's face, especially when it shows feelings like happiness or surprise.
He had a big smile on his lantern at the party.
Her lantern lit up when she saw the surprise.
In old biology or medical language, a lantern can mean a structure in the eye that controls light. This meaning is rare and technical.
Ancient texts describe the eye’s lantern controlling light.
The lantern in the eye helps animals see better in dark.
