lighting-up time: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1formal / legal / journalistic
Quick answer
What does “lighting-up time” mean?
The official time of day when vehicle headlights must be switched on, typically sunset to sunrise.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
The official time of day when vehicle headlights must be switched on, typically sunset to sunrise.
A legal or formal time, usually defined by law, when lights on vehicles must be turned on in public areas; by extension, the onset of dusk or evening.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
This is a predominantly British term, found in law and official announcements. American English does not have a single, common equivalent term; it's typically described as 'the time when headlights are required' or similar phrasing.
Connotations
In British usage, it carries connotations of officialdom, safety regulations, and the changing seasons. In American English, the concept exists but lacks the specific lexical item, making it a cultural-linguistic gap.
Frequency
Common in UK news reports, weather forecasts, and official highway publications. Extremely rare to non-existent in general American English.
Grammar
How to Use “lighting-up time” in a Sentence
[Subject] + is/begins at + lighting-up timeLighting-up time + falls + [temporal phrase]Vocabulary
Collocations
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Used by logistics and transport companies for planning driver schedules and safety protocols.
Academic
Appears in studies on traffic law, road safety, or sociological analyses of regulation.
Everyday
Used in general conversation regarding travel plans in winter or when discussing shorter days.
Technical
Used in legal texts, highway codes, and motoring organisation publications.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “lighting-up time”
- Using it as a verb (e.g., 'We were lighting-up timing').
- Confusing it with 'lighting' in the sense of interior design.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
It is legally defined based on sunset, but it is the precise time when the law requires vehicle lights to be on, which is typically from sunset to sunrise.
Most Americans would not recognise this specific term, though they understand the concept. They would describe it as 'the time you have to turn your headlights on'.
Almost never in standard usage. It is a term specific to road traffic regulations.
It is published in official sources like the Highway Code (UK), by motoring organisations, and in some newspapers and weather reports, often presented in table form for the year.
The official time of day when vehicle headlights must be switched on, typically sunset to sunrise.
Lighting-up time is usually formal / legal / journalistic in register.
Lighting-up time: in British English it is pronounced /ˈlaɪtɪŋ ˌʌp ˌtaɪm/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈlaɪt̬ɪŋ ˌʌp ˌtaɪm/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: 'Lighting-up' like switching on a light, plus 'time' – it's the official 'switch-on' time for your car lights.
Conceptual Metaphor
TIME IS A BOUNDARY (crossing from day into night, marked by a legal rule).
Practice
Quiz
In which variety of English is 'lighting-up time' a standard, lexicalised term?