headlamp
Definition
- Noun:
- A powerful lamp with a reflector, attached to the front of a vehicle to illuminate the road ahead.
Usage
- The word headlamp is a countable noun. It is typically used in the singular form when referring to one unit or the plural form headlamps when referring to the pair on a vehicle.
- It is most commonly associated with the front lights of automobiles, locomotives, and other large vehicles like trucks or buses.
Examples
- Noun:
- One of the car's headlamps was broken in the accident.
- The mechanic replaced the dim headlamp with a new, brighter one.
- At night, you must turn on your headlamps.
Advanced Usage
- "To dip one's headlamps": To switch from the main (high) beam to the low beam, especially to avoid dazzling other drivers.
- Please dip your headlamps when another car is approaching.
Variants and Related Words
- Headlight: This is a very common synonym for headlamp and is often used interchangeably in everyday language, especially in American English.
- Fog lamp / Fog light: A special lamp, often mounted low on the front of a vehicle, designed to cut through fog, rain, or snow.
- High beam / Main beam: The setting of a headlamp that provides the brightest, longest-range illumination.
- Low beam / Dipped beam: The setting of a headlamp that provides adequate forward and lateral illumination while minimizing glare for other road users.
Synonyms
- Headlight
- Front light
Related Phrases
- Headlamp alignment / aiming: The process of adjusting the direction of the headlamp beams to ensure they light the road correctly without blinding others.
- After installing new headlamps, you should check their alignment.
Noun
-
a powerful light with reflector; attached to the front of an automobile or locomotive
