DCHP-2

pot light DCHP-2 (July 2016)

• n. — Construction

  an overhead lamp encased in a cylinder and recessed into the ceiling.

  Type: 1. Origin — A pot light is known outside of Canada as a "recessed light". The term appears to have originated in Canada. The resemblance of the recessed cylinder to a pot is obvious and inspired the shorter, more common name pot light for what is otherwise called a "recessed light", even in Canadian hardware stores. According to internet domain searches, pot light has remained virtually exclusive to Canada (see Chart 1).
  See also COD-2, s.v. "pot light", which is marked "Cdn", and OED-3, s.v. "pot light", which is marked "Canad."