binocular

1 of 2

adjective

bin·​oc·​u·​lar bī-ˈnä-kyə-lər  bə- 

: of, relating to, using, or adapted to the use of both eyes

binocularity

(ˌ)bī-ˌnä-kyə-ˈler-ə-tē 

-ˈla-rə-

bə-

noun

binocularly

bī-ˈnä-kyə-lər-lē 

bə-

adverb

binocular

2 of 2

noun

bin·​oc·​u·​lar bə-ˈnä-kyə-lər  bī- 

1

: a binocular optical instrument

2

: a handheld optical instrument composed of two telescopes and a focusing device and usually having prisms to increase magnifying ability

—usually used in plural

Examples of binocular in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Future Bets Bosworth is already exploring future display models, including versions with cellular connectivity and binocular displays (screens in both lenses). —Bloomberg, Mercury News, 18 Sep. 2025

That's because there is a higher concentration of retinal ganglion cells in the center of their field of vision, making vision sharper and giving such dogs binocular depth vision. —Jennifer Ouellette, ArsTechnica, 18 Sep. 2025

Noun

Make sure to use solar eclipse glasses or a solar filter for telescopes or binoculars. —Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 21 Sep. 2025

Don’t look at the sun through any unfiltered optical device — camera lens, telescope, binoculars — while wearing eclipse glasses or using a handheld solar viewer, NASA advises. —Gina Park, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1679, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1861, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for binocular

• monocular
• postocular
• interocular
• multilocular
• unilocular
• jocular
• ocular

Kids Definition

binocular

1 of 2 adjective

bin·​oc·​u·​lar bī-ˈnäk-yə-lər 

bə-

: of, relating to, using, or adapted to the use of both eyes

binocular vision

binocular

2 of 2 noun

bin·​oc·​u·​lar bə-ˈnäk-yə-lər 

bī-

1

: a binocular optical instrument

2

: a handheld instrument for seeing at a distance that consists of two telescopes, a focusing device, and usually prisms

—usually used in plural

a pair of binoculars

Medical Definition

binocular

1 of 2 adjective

bin·​oc·​u·​lar bī-ˈnäk-yə-lər, bə- 

: of, relating to, using, or adapted to the use of both eyes

binocular vision

a binocular microscope

binocularly

bī-ˈnäk-yə-lər-lē, bə- 

adverb

binocular

2 of 2 noun

bin·​oc·​u·​lar bə-ˈnäk-yə-lər, bī- 

: a binocular optical instrument