bifocal

1 of 2

adjective

bi·​fo·​cal ˈbī-ˌfō-kəl 

1

: having two focal lengths

2

: having one part that corrects for near vision and one for distant vision

a bifocal eyeglass lens

bifocal

2 of 2

noun

1

bifocals plural : eyeglasses with bifocal lenses

2

: a bifocal glass or lens

Examples of bifocal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Multifocal: These lenses act similarly to bifocal or trifocal glasses. —Ann Pietrangelo, Verywell Health, 28 May 2025

Every organization with disaster exposure must reassess continuity planning through this bifocal lens. —Chloe Demrovsky, Forbes.com, 17 Apr. 2025

Noun

Otherwise, the only hints of the G1’s nature are the rectangular waveguides in the lenses, which are only visible to others from certain angles and can be mistaken for bifocals. —PCMAG, 25 Mar. 2025

These lenses require bifocals or reading glasses for near activities. —Suchandrima Bhowmik, Health, 23 Mar. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Adjective

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

Adjective

1826, in the meaning defined at sense 2

Noun

1896, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

bifocal

1 of 2 adjective

bi·​fo·​cal (ˈ)bī-ˈfō-kəl 

: having two focal lengths

bifocal

2 of 2 noun

1

: a bifocal glass or lens

2

plural : eyeglasses with bifocal lenses that correct for both near vision and distant vision

Medical Definition

bifocal

1 of 2 adjective

bi·​fo·​cal (ˈ)bī-ˈfō-kəl 

1

: having two focal lengths

2

: having one part that corrects for near vision and one for distant vision

a bifocal eyeglass lens

bifocal

2 of 2 noun

1

: a bifocal glass or lens

2

bifocals plural : eyeglasses with bifocal lenses