Bulb
/ˈbʌlb/Definition, CEFR level B1, pronunciation, examples, and quiz.
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Definition
nounThe bulb-shaped underground portion of a plant such as a tulip, consisting of a shortened stem and many fleshy scale leaves, from which the rest of the plant may be regrown.
nounThe medulla oblongata.
Sentence Examples
Thomas Edison invented the light bulb.
Edison invented the light bulb.
A small, naked bulb gave the only illumination.
CEFR Practice Quiz
When the light ____ exploded, the room suddenly became pitch black and everyone froze in surprise.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
I need to replace the light ____ in the kitchen because it went out.
Word Origin & History
Etymology tree Ancient Greek βολβός (bolbós)bor. Latin bulbusder. English bulb Inherited from Middle English bulb, bolbe, from Latin bulbus (“bulb, onion”), from Ancient Greek βολβός (bolbós, “plant with round swelling on underground stem”).
Literary Quotations & Historical Citations
"the plants which grow in the earth from seed or bulbs."
— 2005, Plato, translated by Lesley Brown, Sophist, page 265c:
"Once it [a snowdrop variety] became established, some bulbs were lifted and passed on to be chipped (i.e. cut into small pieces and grown on)."
— 2015 February 7, Val Bourne, “The quiet man of the world of snowdrops”, in The Daily Telegraph (London), page G8:
Explore More B1 Vocabulary Words
CEFR Practice Quiz
When the light ____ exploded, the room suddenly became pitch black and everyone froze in surprise.
CEFR Practice Quiz (Alternate)
I need to replace the light ____ in the kitchen because it went out.