aperture

noun

ap·​er·​ture ˈa-pər-ˌchu̇r 

ˈa-pə-,

-chər,

-ˌtyu̇r,

-ˌtu̇r

1

: an opening or open space : hole

entered the cave through a narrow aperture

2

a

: the opening in a photographic lens that admits the light

b

: the diameter of the stop in an optical system that determines the diameter of the bundle of rays traversing the instrument

c

: the diameter of the objective lens or mirror of a telescope

Synonyms

• hole
• opening
• orifice
• perforation

Examples of aperture in a Sentence

We entered the cave through a narrow aperture.

The photograph was taken using a fast shutter speed and a large aperture.

Recent Examples on the Web

By participating in these events opens the aperture to allow those looking for career growth to better see the bigger organizational picture and broaden experiences. 5. —Dr. Cynthia J. Young, Forbes, 6 Sep. 2024

Bored into the barrels are apertures that act like portals: through them appear diorama-like video seascapes that migrants encounter in their journey toward safety. —Shameekia Shantel Johnson, ARTnews.com, 3 Sep. 2024

Exploring different frames is like looking at a scene through various camera lenses while adjusting your angle, aperture, and focus. —Julia Binder michael D. Watkins, Harvard Business Review, 17 Feb. 2024

The phone comes equipped with a 48MP main camera with an aperture of f/1.7, optical image stabilization (OIS), and an 82-degree field of view. —PCMAG, 14 Aug. 2024

Word History

Etymology

Middle English, borrowed from Latin apertūra, from apertus, past participle of aperīre "to open" + -ūra -ure — more at aperient

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

aperture

noun

ap·​er·​ture ˈap-ə(r)-ˌchu̇(ə)r 

-chər

1

: an opening or open space : hole

2

a

: the opening in a camera lens that allows light through

b

: the diameter of the opening in a camera lens

Medical Definition

aperture

noun

ap·​er·​ture ˈap-ə(r)-ˌchu̇(ə)r, -chər, -ˌt(y)u̇(ə)r 

1

: an opening or open space

2

: the diameter of the stop in an optical system that determines the diameter of the bundle of rays traversing the instrument