Definition

1. Noun:
   • A visual signal to control the flow of traffic at intersections: A traffic light is a set of automatically operated colored lights (typically red, yellow/amber, and green) placed at road junctions, pedestrian crossings, and other locations to regulate the movement of vehicles and pedestrians.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • You must stop at the red traffic light.
  • The traffic light turned green, so we could proceed.
  • There is a new traffic light at the busy intersection downtown.

Advanced Usage

• "To be stuck at a traffic light": To be forced to wait for one complete cycle of the signal.

  • I was late because I got stuck at every traffic light on the way.

• "To run a traffic light": To drive through an intersection when the signal is red.

  • He got a ticket for running a traffic light.

Variants and Related Words

• Traffic signal (n): A synonym for traffic light.

  • The traffic signal is malfunctioning.

• Stoplight (n): Another common term for a traffic light, especially in American English.

  • Wait for the stoplight to change.

Synonyms

• Traffic signal
• Stoplight
• Signal light

Related Phrases

• Traffic light system: A metaphorical system using colors (red, amber, green) to indicate status, often used in contexts like health ratings or project management.
  • The government introduced a traffic light system for travel restrictions.

Idioms

• "Like watching paint dry / grass grow / a traffic light change": Used to describe something extremely boring or slow.
  • The lecture was like watching a traffic light change.

Noun

1. a visual signal to control the flow of traffic at intersections