Definition

1. Noun:
   • A rounded underground storage organ of a plant: A bulb is a short, rounded underground stem of certain plants, such as onions, tulips, or daffodils, that stores food and can produce a new plant.
   • A rounded glass container for an electric light: A bulb is the glass part of an electric lamp that encloses the filament or other light source.
   • Any rounded, swollen part or structure: In anatomy or general use, a bulb can refer to any rounded, dilated, or bulging part, such as the bulb of a thermometer or a syringe.

Examples of Usage

• Noun:
  • She planted tulip bulbs in the autumn for spring flowers.
  • The light bulb in the kitchen needs to be replaced.
  • The bulb of a thermometer contains the mercury or alcohol.

Advanced Usage

• "The bulb of the eye": Refers to the eyeball itself.
  • The injury affected the bulb of his left eye.
• "Medulla oblongata" (historical/technical): In older anatomical terminology, "bulb" was a term for the medulla oblongata, a part of the brainstem.
  • The vital centers are located in the bulb.

Variants and Related Words

• Bulbous (adj): Shaped like a bulb; swollen and rounded.
  • He had a bulbous nose.
• Bulbil (n): A small bulb or bulb-like structure, especially one that forms in a leaf axil or flower head.
  • Some lilies produce bulbils that can be planted.

Synonyms

• Corm: A similar but solid underground plant stem (e.g., crocus).
• Lamp: For the electric light source, though "lamp" can refer to the entire fixture.
• Globe: For a spherical shape, but not specific to plants or lighting.

Related Phrases

• Light bulb moment (idiom): A sudden moment of understanding or a bright idea.
  • I had a light bulb moment and finally solved the puzzle.
• To plant a bulb: The action of putting a plant bulb into the ground.
  • The best time to plant a bulb like a daffodil is in the fall.

Noun

1. a rounded dilation or expansion in a canal or vessel or organ
2. lower or hindmost part of the brain; continuous with spinal cord; (`bulb' is an old term for medulla oblongata)
   • the medulla oblongata is the most vital part of the brain because it contains centers controlling breathing and heart functioning
3. anything with a round shape resembling a teardrop
4. a rounded part of a cylindrical instrument (usually at one end)
   • the bulb of a syringe
5. electric lamp consisting of a transparent or translucent glass housing containing a wire filament (usually tungsten) that emits light when heated by electricity
6. a modified bud consisting of a thickened globular underground stem serving as a reproductive structure