sunlamp: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1technical, medical, informal
Quick answer
What does “sunlamp” mean?
An electric lamp that produces ultraviolet light, used to simulate sunlight for therapy or to create a suntan.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
An electric lamp that produces ultraviolet light, used to simulate sunlight for therapy or to create a suntan.
Any artificial light source designed to imitate the full spectrum of natural sunlight, often used to treat seasonal affective disorder (SAD), aid plant growth indoors, or provide a source of heat for reptiles.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant lexical difference. Both use 'sunlamp'. 'Sunbed' is more common for the whole-body tanning unit, while 'sunlamp' often refers to a smaller, localized unit.
Connotations
Neutral/technical in therapeutic contexts; can have negative health/safety connotations in cosmetic tanning contexts in both varieties.
Frequency
Slightly more common in American English in the context of light therapy for SAD.
Grammar
How to Use “sunlamp” in a Sentence
[subject] uses a sunlamp for [purpose][subject] sits under a/the sunlampVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “sunlamp” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- [Not commonly used as a verb]
American English
- [Not commonly used as a verb]
adverb
British English
- [Not commonly used as an adverb]
American English
- [Not commonly used as an adverb]
adjective
British English
- [Not commonly used as an adjective]
American English
- [Not commonly used as an adjective]
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Found in retail for beauty/tanning salons or wellness product descriptions.
Academic
Used in dermatology, psychology (SAD research), and horticulture papers.
Everyday
Used when discussing home tanning, treating winter blues, or caring for pet reptiles.
Technical
Precise term in medical device catalogs, electrical engineering, and phototherapy guidelines.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “sunlamp”
- Using 'sunlight' instead of 'sunlamp' ('I need more sunlight' vs. 'I need to use my sunlamp').
- Misspelling as one word 'sunlamp' (correct) vs. two words 'sun lamp' (less common but acceptable).
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Not exactly. A sunlamp is often a smaller, localized unit, while a tanning bed (or sunbed) is a larger enclosure with multiple lamps for full-body tanning.
Some medical-grade sunlamps that emit UVB radiation can help the skin produce vitamin D, but most standard light therapy lamps for SAD do not emit UVB and thus do not produce vitamin D.
Medical/therapeutic sunlamps used as directed are generally safe. Cosmetic tanning sunlamps carry well-documented risks of skin aging and skin cancer due to UV exposure and should be used with extreme caution or avoided.
Both mimic sunlight, but a grow light is specifically optimized for plant photosynthesis (certain light spectra), while a sunlamp for humans often focuses on full-spectrum visible light or specific UV wavelengths for health/cosmetic effects.
An electric lamp that produces ultraviolet light, used to simulate sunlight for therapy or to create a suntan.
Sunlamp is usually technical, medical, informal in register.
Sunlamp: in British English it is pronounced /ˈsʌn.læmp/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈsʌn.læmp/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “[No common idioms for this specific noun]”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think: LAMP that gives you SUN. A lamp for sun-like effects.
Conceptual Metaphor
ARTIFICIAL LIGHT IS MEDICINE / ARTIFICIAL LIGHT IS (A SUBSTITUTE FOR) NATURE.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is a 'sunlamp' LEAST likely to be used?