fovea

noun

fo·​vea ˈfō-vē-ə 

plural foveae ˈfō-vē-ˌē  -vē-ˌī 

1

: a small fossa

2

: a small depression in the center of the macula (see macula sense 2b) that contains only cones and constitutes the area of maximum visual acuity and color discrimination see eye illustration

foveal

ˈfō-vē-əl 

adjective

foveate

ˈfō-vē-ˌāt  -ət 

adjective

Examples of fovea in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The fovea, a tiny depression at the center of the retina where visual acuity is highest, does all the heavy lifting while the rest of your vision goes unused. — Sonya Collins, Fortune, 6 May 2022

Folks with albinism have poor eyesight because the pit-like depression in the human eye called the fovea is absent or underdeveloped, Menke explained. — Roni Dengler, Discover Magazine, 28 Aug. 2019

There are also around 10 times more L- and M-cones than S-cones, while far fewer S-cones are located in the center of the retina known as the fovea. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 25 Mar. 2026

The images captured by the device are combined to create a detailed 3D model of your inner eye, highlighting the intricate structures such as the fovea, optic nerve, and Henle fibers. — William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 11 Feb. 2024

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, pit

First Known Use

1849, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing fovea

• fovea centralis

Kids Definition

fovea

noun

fo·​vea ˈfō-vē-ə 

plural foveae -vē-ˌē 

-vē-ˌī

: an area in the middle of the retina that gives the sharpest vision of any part of the retina and contains only cones

Medical Definition

fovea

noun

fo·​vea ˈfō-vē-ə 

plural foveae -vē-ˌē  -vē-ˌī 

1

: a small fossa

2

or fovea centralis

-sen-ˈtral-əs, -ˈträl-, -ˈtrāl-

: a small depression in the center of the macula that contains only cones and constitutes the area of maximum visual acuity

foveal

-vē-əl 

adjective

foveate

-vē-ˌāt  -ət 

adjective