bulb meaning

bulb as a noun

1. a modified bud consisting of a thickened globular underground stem serving as a reproductive structure

   Type of: stalk

   Kinds: onion, shallot, squill, bulbil

   Related forms: bulbaceous

2. electric lamp consisting of a transparent or translucent glass housing containing a wire filament (usually tungsten) that emits light when heated by electricity

   Synonyms: light bulb, lightbulb, incandescent lamp, electric light, electric-light bulb

   Type of: electric lamp

3. a rounded part of a cylindrical instrument (usually at one end)
   • the bulb of a syringe

   Type of: part

   Related forms: bulbous

4. anything with a round shape resembling a teardrop

   Type of: round shape

   Related forms: bulblike

5. lower or hindmost part of the brain; continuous with spinal cord; (`bulb' is an old term for medulla oblongata)
   • the medulla oblongata is the most vital part of the brain because it contains centers controlling breathing and heart functioning

   Synonyms: medulla oblongata, medulla

   Type of: neural structure

   Related forms: bulbar

6. a rounded dilation or expansion in a canal or vessel or organ

   Type of: structure

   Related forms: bulbous

How to pronounce bulb

bulb is pronounced /bʌlb/ in British English and /bʌlb/ in American English. It has 1 syllable.