microscope

noun

mi·​cro·​scope ˈmī-krə-ˌskōp How to pronounce microscope (audio)
1
: an optical instrument consisting of a lens or combination of lenses for making enlarged images of minute objects
especially : compound microscope
2
: a non-optical instrument (such as one using radiations other than light or using vibrations) for making enlarged images of minute objects
an acoustic microscope

Examples of microscope in a Sentence

Students viewed the crystals through a microscope.
Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The bullpen is the glaring issue, but playing the Brewers seems to put the importance of every aspect of the Cubs’ performance under a microscope. — Sahadev Sharma, New York Times, 10 Sep. 2026 Sometimes there’s a real venom to the way people put you under microscopes. — Nicole Fell, HollywoodReporter, 10 Sep. 2026 The brightly colored insects, native to Australia, are small — just fractions of an inch long — with colors that pop under a microscope. — Brad Balukjian, Rolling Stone, 9 Sep. 2026 Still, scientists are working hard to put fog under the microscope. — Meghan Bartels, Scientific American, 9 Sep. 2026 See All Example Sentences for microscope

Word History

Etymology

New Latin microscopium, from micr- + -scopium -scope

First Known Use

1648, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of microscope was in 1648

Phrases Containing microscope

Rhymes for microscope

See All Rhymes for microscope

Browse Nearby Words

Microscolex
microscope
microscopic
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Microscope.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/microscope. Accessed 15 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

microscope

noun
mi·​cro·​scope ˈmī-krə-ˌskōp How to pronounce microscope (audio)
1
: an optical instrument consisting of a lens or a combination of lenses for making enlarged or magnified images of minute objects
2
: an instrument using radiation other than light for making enlarged images of very small objects

Medical Definition

microscope

noun
mi·​cro·​scope ˈmī-krə-ˌskōp How to pronounce microscope (audio)
1
: an optical instrument consisting of a lens or combination of lenses for making enlarged images of minute objects
especially : compound microscope see light microscope, phase-contrast microscope, polarizing microscope, reflecting microscope, ultraviolet microscope
2
: an instrument using radiations other than light or using vibrations for making enlarged images of minute objects
an acoustic microscope
see electron microscope, scanning electron microscope, x-ray microscope

More from Merriam-Webster on microscope

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about microscope

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