ax·i·con
| \ ˈak-sə-ˌkän
\
\
plural axicons
Definition of axicon
: an object resembling an optical lens with a conical surface that has no definite focal point
On a trip to Russia, Milchberg discovered that scientists there were using an odd, funnel-shaped "axicon" lens that brought laser beams into an elongated, needle-like focus instead of the sharp point that conventional lenses produce.— Curt Suplee, Washington Post, 11 Sept. 1995
Learn More About axicon
Statistics for axicon
Look-up Popularity
Cite this Entry
“Axicon.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/axicon. Accessed 28 Jun. 2022.
Style: MLA
MLA
Chicago
APA
Merriam-Webster
Chicago
APA
Merriam-Webster
Test Your Vocabulary
Which Word Does Not Belong?
-
- Which of these words does not mean "nonsense"?
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
TAKE THE QUIZ
A daily challenge for crossword fanatics.
TAKE THE QUIZLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games
-
Commonly Confused Words Quiz
Take a (break/brake) and (pore/pour) over this (c...
Take the quiz
-
Words Named After People
Find out who’s behind "leotard," "morphine," an...
Take the quiz
-
Spell It
Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?
Take the quiz
-
Spelling Bee Quiz
Can you outdo past winners of the National Spelli...
Take the quiz
Share axicon
Time Traveler for axicon
The first known use of axicon was in 1954
See more words from the same year