bifocal

adjective bi·fo·cal \ ˈbī-ˌfō-kəl \

Definition of bifocal

1 : having two focal lengths

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

a bifocal eyeglass lens

See bifocal defined for English-language learners

See bifocal defined for kids

Recent Examples of bifocal from the Web

Adair wore his bifocal sunglasses and a navy blue baseball cap.

— jeff maysh, Los Angeles Magazine, "The Cop Who Became a Robber," 22 Aug. 2017
Each time, my cloudy natural lens was replaced with an artificial, bifocal one.

— gayle carline, Orange County Register, "What a Day: Blinded by the light, and the eye doctor," 6 Jan. 2017

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'bifocal.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Origin and Etymology of bifocal

International Scientific Vocabulary

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1826

See Words from the same year

bifocal

noun

Definition of bifocal

1 bifocals plural : eyeglasses with bifocal lenses

2 : a bifocal glass or lens

Recent Examples of bifocal from the Web

Besides his contribution to science, Franklin is known for inventing the Franklin stove, bifocals and the glass armonica, Davis said.

— rosemarie dowell, OrlandoSentinel.com, "Professor who portrays Founding Father Ben Franklin says, 'He was really cool'," 31 Jan. 2018
But the days of popping reading glasses on and off or constantly shifting your gaze through bifocals may be numbered.

— emily matchar, Smithsonian, "These “Smart Glasses” Adjust To Your Vision Automatically," 9 Feb. 2017
Strumming a shiny acoustic guitar, the winsome memaw launches into her parody rendition, weaving hearing aids, retirement, RVs, bifocals and more into the three-minute lyrical journey.

— Southern Living, "90-Year-Old Grandma Turns a Patsy Cline Classic into a Brilliant Ode to Aging," 12 Oct. 2017
Mr. Marshall, a soft-spoken, professorial man with a salt-and-pepper beard and bifocals hanging around his neck, doesn’t carry himself like a firebrand.

— randy kennedy, New York Times, "Kerry James Marshall, Boldly Repainting Art History," 9 Sep. 2016
But the days of popping reading glasses on and off or constantly shifting your gaze through bifocals may be numbered.

— emily matchar, Smithsonian, "These “Smart Glasses” Adjust To Your Vision Automatically," 9 Feb. 2017
This scene—though nowhere captured in the familiar imagery of Franklin flying his kite and inventing bifocals—was, in its day, as significant as that of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.

— adam gopnik, The New Yorker, "We Could Have Been Canada," 15 May 2017