What is the difference between lamp and light

The utility asked for the service plan and the pastor said there would be bible study at 10 and worship at This also reminds me of a prior life when I set care standards in hospitals.

We had to write out instructions for housekeeping staff about cleanliness standards. Removing feces might be technically correct, but it simply would not cut the mustard in practice. You had to call a spade a spade, even though it might sound a bit crude. It does make me cringe to talk about buying light bulbs … after all … I live with someone who knows the difference. But, when in Rome …. Skip to content Home About the Author. Somone who has an unlit cigarette and does not have a match asks, "Give me a light.

There are a few cases where they are interchangeable - streetlamps and streetlights are used, so are headlight and headlamp. We hang a chandelier or hanging lamp from the ceiling, and use lightbulbs for the light. Site Hint: Check out our list of pronunciation videos.

So, there are no exact rules for when to use lights or lamps? Because once, my teacher told me that lights are fixed, for example on the ceiling; while lamps can be moved, for example table lamps.

But then how about Christmas lights; they absolutely can be moved. Thanks for your time, really appreciate it. We carry flashlights with us. Nightlights can be easily moved, and so can table lamps. I decorate my Christmas tree with strings of lights. However, the term desk lamp is technically correct.

In this case the word lamp describes the entire construction of the components mentioned above. Until a few years ago, most luminaires were equipped with normal incandescent lamps.

Since the spread of new light sources , the term illuminant is more established. Due to the many new lighting techniques, the term lamp is often too general.

In contrast, the word illuminant refers very precisely to the actual light source. But in consumer field the term light bulb is used most frequently. Usually the term is used in combination with lighting technology such as LED light bulb or halogen light bulb. In combination with the required socket, it is even easier to find the desired illuminant such as an E26 LED bulb. If you want to be very precise and technically correct, you should only use the terms luminaire, light fixture and illuminant for the light source.

These are very precise and there is very little confusion. As described above, the word lamp is very general. Depending on the context, this can mean both the fixture or the illuminant. Especially if you are looking online for a new ceiling light, the difference between a lamp and a luminaire becomes clear.