Definition of light verb from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary

light

verb

laɪt

laɪt

lit, lit

lɪt

lɪt

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Lighted is also used for the past tense and past participle, especially in front of nouns.

start to burn

1 [transitive] light something to make something start to burnShe lit a candle.The candles were lit.I put a lighted match to the letter and watched it burn.Steve took out a cigarette and lit it.

2 [intransitive] to start to burnThe fire wouldn't light.

give light

3 [transitive, usually passive] light something to give light to something or to a placeThe stage was lit by bright spotlights.well/badly lit streetsthe lighted windows of the house4 [transitive] light something (literary) to guide somebody with a lightOur way was lit by a full moon.

Phrasal verbs

light on/upon something

(literary) to see or find something by accidentHis eye lit upon a small boat on the horizon.

light up

light something up

1 (informal) to begin to smoke a cigaretteThey all lit up as soon as he left the room.He sat back and lit up a cigarette.2 to become or to make something become bright with light or colourThere was an explosion and the whole sky lit up.The night sky was lit up with fireworks.3 if somebody's eyes or face light up, or something lights them up, they show happiness or excitementHis eyes lit up when she walked into the room.A smile lit up her face.