noun
searchlight
SEARCH-lite/ˈsɜːrtʃlaɪt/
A powerful lamp with a beam that can be aimed over a long distance.
A searchlight sweeps across the dark water.
Etymology
Searching developed from going about or exploring: a searchlight supplies light for that exploration. Originally used aboard ships, its directed beam helped navigators find their way through channels at night.
In context
the concept of a searchlight as we go into the distance is is reasonable you can point this thing and have it just fire up like a car headlight all about 1250 lumens
More examples
- The rescue crew aims a searchlight at the distant boat.
- Searchlights illuminate the hillside after sunset.
- He follows the bright beam back to the searchlight on the tower.
Forms
searchlight · searchlights
Similar words
- spotlight
- Usually illuminates a specific subject rather than searching a wide area.
- floodlight
- A floodlight illuminates a broad area; a searchlight projects an aimable beam over distance.