Definition
A row of in-pavement, pulsating yellow lights installed across a taxiway at the runway hold-short position, used to reinforce the painted hold-short markings and signs and remind pilots and vehicle operators not to cross onto the runway without ATC clearance.
Plain English
Yellow lights set into the taxiway surface that flash on and off at the spot where you must stop and wait before entering a runway. They back up the painted lines and signs that mark the same place.
Context Anchor
Seen on airport pavement at designated hold-short points, especially where a landing aircraft may be required to stop before a specified point on the runway.
Derivation
"Hold short" is standard ATC phrasing meaning stop before a specified point. "Position" refers to the hold-short position itself — the painted line on the taxiway. Together the name simply describes lights that mark that position.
Why Pilots Care
They give a clear visual stop point that helps prevent runway incursions when clearance has not yet been issued.
Grounding Statement
Picture rolling out after landing and seeing flashing white pavement lights ahead marking the point you agreed not to pass.
Intuition Check
Hold-short does not mean “slow down near this area.” It means stop before the marked point unless you are cleared or instructed to continue.
Example Sentence 1
As we taxied toward Runway 27 at night, the pulsating yellow hold-short position lights made it obvious where to stop and wait for clearance.
Example Sentence 2
During a night taxi, the hold-short position lights clearly showed the crew where to hold until the tower released them to cross.