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

There is no cure for the disease, but treatment options to help with symptoms include physical and occupational therapy, Botox, antidepressants, eyeglasses with prism or bifocal lenses, and Parkinson’s disease medications. —Minyvonne Burke, NBC news, 13 Nov. 2025

Benjamin Franklin helped draft the Declaration of Independence at 70, invented bifocal glasses in his late 70s, and negotiated an agreement to salvage the Constitutional Convention at 81. —Christiaan Hetzner, Fortune, 15 July 2025

Noun

Benjamin Franklin would invent bifocals in 1874, Thomas Young would spot the uneven curvature of the cornea (astigmatism) in 1801, and steel wire would be developed in metal frames after 1837. —Daniel Fusch, Ascend Agency, 11 Nov. 2025

Others may use bifocals, trifocals, or progressive lenses, which adjust magnification for both near and distant vision. —Team Verywell Health, Verywell Health, 6 Oct. 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