Definition

1. Noun:
   • A light on a vessel or aircraft that indicates its position, orientation, and direction of travel: A navigation light is a colored light, required by international regulations, that is displayed on ships and aircraft to signal their presence and heading to others, especially at night or in poor visibility. The standard colors (red for port/left, green for starboard/right, and white for stern/rear) convey specific information.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The pilot checked that all navigation lights were functioning before the night flight.
  • From the bridge, the captain could see the red and green navigation lights of an approaching ship.
  • Regulations require sailboats to display proper navigation lights after sunset.

Advanced Usage

• "To show/display navigation lights": To have one's navigation lights turned on and visible.
  • All vessels must display navigation lights from sunset to sunrise.
• "Under navigation lights": Operating with navigation lights illuminated.
  • The fleet proceeded under navigation lights through the narrow channel.

Variants and Related Words

• Running light: A common synonym for a navigation light on a ship.
  • The ship's running lights were clearly visible against the dark sea.
• Position light: Another term, especially in aviation, for a navigation light.
• Sternlight (n): A white navigation light mounted at the stern (rear) of a vessel.
• Masthead light (n): A white navigation light carried on the mast of a ship.

Synonyms

• Running light: A light on a ship or boat that indicates its position and direction.
• Position light: A light that shows the location and orientation of a vehicle.

Related Phrases

• To be lit up like a Christmas tree (Idiom): Often used informally to describe a vessel or aircraft with all its navigation lights and other lights brightly illuminated.
  • The cruise ship in the harbor was lit up like a Christmas tree.

Notes on Meaning

• The term specifically refers to the standardized, regulated lights for collision avoidance. It is distinct from general interior lights, searchlights, or decorative lighting on a vessel or aircraft. The pattern and color of navigation lights allow an observer to determine the type and heading of the craft.

Noun

1. light on an airplane that indicates the plane's position and orientation; red light on the left (port) wing tip and green light on the right (starboard) wing tip