Plain English Meaning

Blue lights running along both sides of a taxiway so pilots can see where the taxiway ends at night or in poor visibility.

Full Definition

A system of blue lights placed along the edges of taxiways to mark their lateral limits and define the usable taxi surface during periods of darkness or restricted visibility.

Context Anchor

Seen while taxiing at night, in poor visibility, or when studying airport lighting in the Airplane Flying Handbook.

Derivation

Taxiway comes from 'taxi,' which in aviation describes an aircraft moving on the ground under its own — borrowed from the slang 'taxi' for a hired car moving slowly through streets. 'Edge lighting' simply names what it is: lights marking the edges.