Plain English Meaning

Bright strobe lights along the approach path that flash one after another, racing toward the runway, so the pilot can quickly find and line up with the runway when breaking out of cloud or low visibility.

Full Definition

A series of brilliant, sequenced flashing white lights installed along the centerline of an approach lighting system, firing in rapid succession from the farthest light toward the runway threshold to give the pilot a strong visual lead-in cue during an instrument approach. The flashes appear as a ball of light traveling toward the runway, which is why pilots commonly call them the rabbit.