neon

1 of 2

noun

ne·​on ˈnē-ˌän How to pronounce neon (audio)
1
: a nonmetallic chemical element that is found in minute amounts in air and is used especially in electric lamps, in lasers, and as a cryogenic refrigerant see Chemical Elements Table
2
a
: a discharge lamp in which the gas contains a large proportion of neon
b
: a sign composed of such lamps
c
: the illumination provided by such lamps or signs
neoned
ˈnē-ˌänd How to pronounce neon (audio)
adjective

neon

2 of 2

adjective

1
: of, relating to, or using neon
2
: extremely bright : fluorescent
neon yellow

Examples of neon in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Work on historic neon signs is now but a small part of Pacific Neon’s business, whose clients include Boot Barn and some Target stores. — Graham Womack, Sacbee.com, 10 Oct. 2026 The former reality television worker who lives in North Hollywood shows off a neon-green watch in a live video as viewers bid on her rapid-fire offers. — Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 9 Oct. 2026
Adjective
With its neon Japanese signage, the area feels a bit like Tokyo’s Akihabara neighborhood, known for its busy storefronts selling electronics, anime merch, and video games. — Mae Hamilton, AFAR Media, 1 May 2025 Fruity Sandwich cookies from Kroger were blindingly neon and surprisingly tasty. — Hallie Lieberman, Smithsonian Magazine, 18 Apr. 2022 See All Example Sentences for neon

Word History

Etymology

Noun

borrowed from Greek néon, neuter of néos "young, fresh, new" — more at new entry 1

Note: Name given to the gas by its discoverers, the British chemists William Ramsay (1852-1916) and Morris William Travers (1872-1961) in "On the Companion of Argon," Proceedings of the Royal Society of London, vol. 63 (1898), p. 438. According to a later account by Travers, the Latin name novum, "new," for the gas was suggested by William Ramsay's 13-year old son, and rendered in Greek by Ramsay to match the names of other recently discovered gases (see Morris W. Travers, The Discovery of the Rare Gases, London, 1928, p. 96).

First Known Use

Noun

1898, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Adjective

1904, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of neon was in 1898

Rhymes for neon

See All Rhymes for neon

Browse Nearby Words

neomycin
neon
neonatal
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Neon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/neon. Accessed 14 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

neon

1 of 2 noun
ne·​on ˈnē-ˌän How to pronounce neon (audio)
1
: a colorless odorless gaseous element found in very small amounts in air and used in electric lamps see element
2
a
: a lamp in which the gas contains a large amount of neon that gives a reddish glow when a current is passed through it
b
: a sign composed of such lamps

neon

2 of 2 adjective
1
: of, relating to, or using neon
neon lights
2
: extremely bright : fluorescent
neon yellow

Medical Definition

neon

noun
ne·​on ˈnē-ˌän How to pronounce neon (audio)
: a colorless odorless primarily inert gaseous element found in minute amounts in air and used in electric lamps
—symbol Ne see Chemical Elements Table

More from Merriam-Webster on neon

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about neon

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of deportment

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Why do we call it a 'flea market'?
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All