tele·scope
ˈte-lə-ˌskōp 
often attributive
1
2
: any of various tubular magnifying optical instruments
3
telescoped; telescoping
1
: to become forced together lengthwise with one part entering another as the result of collision
2
: to slide or pass one within another like the cylindrical sections of a collapsible hand telescope
3
: to become compressed or condensed
Synonyms
Examples of telescope in a Sentence
Noun
The rings of Saturn can be seen through a telescope.
Verb
for dramatic purposes, the film telescopes the years over which the events occurred into a few short months
Recent Examples on the Web
Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Apr. 2024
Inside, there’s a museum curator and his office, an astronomy exhibit that comes with a telescope and 3-D solar system, and ancient artifacts abound.
—Alida Nugent, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2024
Through specialized eclipse glasses, visitors could peer at the eclipse as well as through a series of solar telescopes set out by the Grand Rapids Public Museum.
—Matthew Dolan, Detroit Free Press, 8 Apr. 2024
Additionally, using indirect viewing methods such as pinhole projectors or solar filters on telescopes or cameras ensures safe observation of the eclipse.
—The Arizona Republic, 8 Apr. 2024
The museum's planetarium educator Marshall Ward said using the poster board allowed those without eclipse glasses or a telescope to see the moon's shadow covering the sun.
—Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2024
Space fans will want to stick around to watch Deep Sky courtesy of the James Webb telescope on IMAX.
—Melissa Locker, TIME, 6 Apr. 2024
The telescope feed will incorporate views from multiple locations, and will be switched based on weather, the eclipse’s progress, and feed availability.
—Krista Simmons, Sunset Magazine, 5 Apr. 2024
Viewing the eclipse without the right protection can be dangerous for your vision, even through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope.
—Chyna Blackmon, Charlotte Observer, 4 Apr. 2024
Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Apr. 2024
This vacuum also offers several additional high-end features, including a telescoping wand for height adjustment, an oversized 1.5-liter dust bin, and bright LED headlights.
—Theresa Holland, Peoplemag, 23 Jan. 2024
Other perks include its carry-on size, waterproof design, telescoping handle, and trolley strap to attach to your other luggage pieces — and, of course, its various pockets.
—Rachel Simon, Travel + Leisure, 3 Dec. 2023
This telescoping high-rise sprinkler by Orbit adjusts from a height of 23 to 35 inches to reach heights that other ground-lying sprinklers may not be able to.
—Kat De Naoum, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Mar. 2024
The inner, telescoping portion that houses the lens elements and the tripod collar are metal, but the exterior housing is sturdy-but-light polycarbonate.
—PCMAG, 22 Mar. 2024
Use the oversized wheels and telescoping handle to navigate effortlessly through the airport; and the Airspeed Harness with its breathable mesh back panel, adjustable padded shoulder straps, and weight-distributing hipbelt to carry the bag whenever the going gets tough.
—Jessica MacDonald, Travel + Leisure, 27 Nov. 2023
Nowadays a lot of people use tenkara telescoping fly rods.
—Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 28 Feb. 2024
Some are single-stage and others are two-stage, telescoping cylinders.
—Jeanne Huber, Washington Post, 26 Jan. 2024
Noun
Astronomers in the 1980s detected in Mercury’s exosphere atomic sodium, potassium and calcium, metals with strong emission signals that can be observed all the way from Earth with telescopes.
—Shi En Kim, Smithsonian Magazine, 16 Apr. 2024
Inside, there’s a museum curator and his office, an astronomy exhibit that comes with a telescope and 3-D solar system, and ancient artifacts abound.
—Alida Nugent, Peoplemag, 10 Apr. 2024
Through specialized eclipse glasses, visitors could peer at the eclipse as well as through a series of solar telescopes set out by the Grand Rapids Public Museum.
—Matthew Dolan, Detroit Free Press, 8 Apr. 2024
Additionally, using indirect viewing methods such as pinhole projectors or solar filters on telescopes or cameras ensures safe observation of the eclipse.
—The Arizona Republic, 8 Apr. 2024
The museum's planetarium educator Marshall Ward said using the poster board allowed those without eclipse glasses or a telescope to see the moon's shadow covering the sun.
—Claire Reid, Journal Sentinel, 8 Apr. 2024
Space fans will want to stick around to watch Deep Sky courtesy of the James Webb telescope on IMAX.
—Melissa Locker, TIME, 6 Apr. 2024
The telescope feed will incorporate views from multiple locations, and will be switched based on weather, the eclipse’s progress, and feed availability.
—Krista Simmons, Sunset Magazine, 5 Apr. 2024
Viewing the eclipse without the right protection can be dangerous for your vision, even through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope.
—Chyna Blackmon, Charlotte Observer, 4 Apr. 2024
Verb
From conversations with expert scientists to telescope footage, the agency will air an educational program that captures the celestial spectacle.
—Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Apr. 2024
This vacuum also offers several additional high-end features, including a telescoping wand for height adjustment, an oversized 1.5-liter dust bin, and bright LED headlights.
—Theresa Holland, Peoplemag, 23 Jan. 2024
Other perks include its carry-on size, waterproof design, telescoping handle, and trolley strap to attach to your other luggage pieces — and, of course, its various pockets.
—Rachel Simon, Travel + Leisure, 3 Dec. 2023
This telescoping high-rise sprinkler by Orbit adjusts from a height of 23 to 35 inches to reach heights that other ground-lying sprinklers may not be able to.
—Kat De Naoum, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Mar. 2024
The inner, telescoping portion that houses the lens elements and the tripod collar are metal, but the exterior housing is sturdy-but-light polycarbonate.
—PCMAG, 22 Mar. 2024
Use the oversized wheels and telescoping handle to navigate effortlessly through the airport; and the Airspeed Harness with its breathable mesh back panel, adjustable padded shoulder straps, and weight-distributing hipbelt to carry the bag whenever the going gets tough.
—Jessica MacDonald, Travel + Leisure, 27 Nov. 2023
Nowadays a lot of people use tenkara telescoping fly rods.
—Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 28 Feb. 2024
Some are single-stage and others are two-stage, telescoping cylinders.
—Jeanne Huber, Washington Post, 26 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'telescope.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Articles Related to telescope
Dictionary Entries Near telescope
Cite this Entry
“Telescope.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/telescope. Accessed 30 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
telescope
1 of 2 noun
tele·scope
ˈtel-ə-ˌskōp
: a tubular instrument for viewing distant objects (as objects in outer space) by focusing light rays with mirrors or lenses
telescope
2 of 2 verb
telescoped; telescoping
1
: to slide or cause to slide one within another like the cylindrical sections of a hand telescope
2
: to run together like the sections of a telescope
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share