stereopsis

noun

ste·​re·​op·​sis ˌster-ē-ˈäp-səs How to pronounce stereopsis (audio)
ˌstir-
: stereoscopic vision

Examples of stereopsis in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The researchers wanted to determine whether the cuttlefish employ stereopsis, a process to perceive depth by using visual information captured by each eye. Ryan W. Miller, USA TODAY, 9 Jan. 2020 The researchers were able to determine that cuttlefish can account for the differences between what their eyes see using computations in the brain — known as stereopsis — and consequently adjust their position in the tank in real time. CBS News, 9 Jan. 2020 This visual trick, called stereopsis or stereo vision, requires complex coordination between the eyes and the brain, and it was once thought to be unique to vertebrates. Katherine J. Wu, Smithsonian Magazine, 8 Jan. 2020 Known as stereopsis, the trick takes a lot of processing power—and scientists didn’t think many animals had enough brains to do it. Jason Daley, Smithsonian, 10 Feb. 2018 Karin Nordstrom at Flinders University tells Yong that this study raises the possibility that other predator insects including robber flies and dragonflies also use stereopsis. Jason Daley, Smithsonian, 10 Feb. 2018 In humans, this effect would have fried our stereopsis, preventing us from aligning the two pictures. Jason Daley, Smithsonian, 10 Feb. 2018 The idea seemed odd, since insect eyes evolved independently from people and stereopsis was assumed to be a characteristic of mammals with forward-facing eyes. National Geographic, 28 Apr. 2017 Animals that see in stereopsis use small differences in an object’s location perceived by the right and left eye to calculate how far away the object is. National Geographic, 28 Apr. 2017

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'stereopsis.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from stere- + Greek opsis vision, appearance — more at optic

First Known Use

circa 1911, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of stereopsis was circa 1911

Dictionary Entries Near stereopsis

Cite this Entry

“Stereopsis.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/stereopsis. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Medical Definition

stereopsis

noun
ste·​re·​op·​sis ˌster-ē-ˈäp-səs, ˌstir- How to pronounce stereopsis (audio)
: stereoscopic vision
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