magnification

noun

mag·​ni·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌmag-nə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

1

: the act of magnifying

2

a

: the state of being magnified

b

: the apparent enlargement of an object by an optical instrument

called also power

Synonyms

• caricature
• coloring
• elaboration
• embellishment
• embroidering
• embroidery
• exaggeration
• hyperbole
• overstatement
• padding
• stretching

Examples of magnification in a Sentence

We used a microscope to examine the cells under magnification.

At higher magnifications the differences between the cells become clear.

Recent Examples on the Web

The Plena focuses on subjects as close as 2.7 feet from the camera sensor, which translates to 1:5 macro magnification at best. —PCMAG, 20 Apr. 2024

Most finders have low magnification and crosshairs. —Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 14 Jan. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

magnification

noun

mag·​ni·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌmag-nə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

1

: the act of magnifying

2

a

: the state of being magnified

b

: the apparent enlargement of an object by an optical instrument

called also power

Medical Definition

magnification

noun

mag·​ni·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌmag-nə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

1

: the act of magnifying

2

a

: the state of being magnified

b

: the apparent enlargement of an object by an optical instrument that is the ratio of the dimensions of an image formed by the instrument to the corresponding dimensions of the object

called also power