Definition

Noun: - A red light mounted on the back of a vehicle, used to signal braking and to make the vehicle visible from behind, especially in low-light conditions. It is a critical safety feature.

Usage

• The primary function of a rear lamp is to illuminate when the vehicle's brakes are applied, warning following drivers.
• It is also often combined with the vehicle's tail lights, which are illuminated whenever the headlights are on.
• A broken rear lamp is a traffic violation in most jurisdictions because it compromises safety.

Examples

• "The police officer pulled the car over because its rear lamp was shattered."
• "Always check that your rear lamp is working before a long drive."
• "Modern cars often use LEDs in their rear lamps for better brightness and longevity."

Advanced Usage

• "To have a rear lamp out": A common phrase meaning one of the vehicle's rear lamps is not functioning.
  • Example: "You should get that fixed; you have a rear lamp out."

Variants and Related Words

• Brake light: A more specific term for the part of the rear lamp assembly that illuminates when braking. Often used synonymously with "rear lamp" in casual conversation.
• Tail light / Taillight: Typically refers to the red lights at the rear that are on whenever the headlights are on. A rear lamp assembly usually contains both the tail light and the brake light.
• Rear light: A general, synonymous term.

Synonyms

• Stop lamp
• Brake lamp

Related Phrases

• "Check your rear lamps": A common instruction during vehicle safety inspections or from a mechanic.
  • Example: "The mechanic's report said to check your rear lamps as one is dim."

Noun

1. lamp (usually red) mounted at the rear of a motor vehicle