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Meaning & use

light shaft

noun·Advanced

Last updated

UK/ˈlaɪt ʃɑːft/
US/ˈlaɪt ʃæft/

Meanings

  1. nouncountable

    A narrow beam of light that comes through a small opening.

    Grammar: Countable: 'a light shaft' or 'light shafts'.

    Patterns

    • a light shaft
    • light shafts

    A light shaft cut through the dusty air of the attic.

    The light shaft from the window fell on the old piano.

    In the cave, thin light shafts came through cracks in the roof.

  2. nouncountabletechnical

    A vertical passage or opening in a building that lets in light.

    Grammar: Countable: 'a light shaft' or 'two light shafts'.

    Patterns

    • a light shaft
    • light shafts

    The architect designed a light shaft to bring daylight into the basement.

    The museum's central light shaft illuminates the main hall.

    Old houses often had a light shaft between rooms to save on candles.

Word forms

plurallight shafts

Common combinations

a shaft of light
A shaft of light entered through the narrow window.
a narrow light shaft
A narrow light shaft fell across the floor.
a vertical light shaft
The building has a vertical light shaft in the center.

Synonyms and how they differ

beam
A beam of light is a line of light; 'light shaft' is more literary or technical and often suggests a narrow opening.
ray
A ray is a single line of light; 'light shaft' is usually wider and more dramatic.

Word family

shaft noun
A long, narrow passage or a beam of light.
light noun
The brightness that makes things visible.

Commonly confused: light shaft or shaft of light?

light shaft vs shaft of light

This is a more common phrase for a beam of light; 'light shaft' can also mean an architectural opening.

Practice

A ______ of light came through the small window and lit the dark room.

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