binocular

1 of 2

adjective

bin·​oc·​u·​lar bī-ˈnä-kyə-lər  bə- 

: of, relating to, using, or adapted to the use of both eyes

binocularity

(ˌ)bī-ˌnä-kyə-ˈler-ə-tē 

-ˈla-rə-, 

bə-

noun

binocularly

bī-ˈnä-kyə-lər-lē 

bə-

adverb

binocular

2 of 2

noun

bin·​oc·​u·​lar bə-ˈnä-kyə-lər  bī- 

1

: a binocular optical instrument

2

: a handheld optical instrument composed of two telescopes and a focusing device and usually having prisms to increase magnifying ability

—usually used in plural

Examples of binocular in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The systems submitted by Elbit America, L3Harris, and Photonis all reflect a transition from monocular to binocular systems, providing a wider field of view, improved situational awareness, and proper depth perception – so less tripping over air pockets in the dark. —David Szondy may 17, New Atlas, 17 May 2026

Vision comes from a binocular camera in the head, along with wrist cameras for close-up work. —Kurt Knutsson, FOXNews.com, 1 May 2026

Noun

Check out our other guides to the best telescopes, binoculars, cameras, star projectors, drones, Lego and much more. —Paul Brett, Space.com, 22 May 2026

On a recent Thursday, Karen and Richard Soikkeli of Diamond Bar, California, sat side by side in camp chairs with binoculars trained on Jackie and Shadow's nest from about a mile away. —Amanda Lee Myers, USA Today, 11 May 2026

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1679, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1861, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for binocular

• monocular
• postocular
• interocular
• multilocular
• unilocular
• jocular
• ocular

Kids Definition

binocular

1 of 2 adjective

bin·​oc·​u·​lar bī-ˈnäk-yə-lər 

bə-

: of, relating to, using, or adapted to the use of both eyes

binocular vision

binocular

2 of 2 noun

bin·​oc·​u·​lar bə-ˈnäk-yə-lər 

bī-

1

: a binocular optical instrument

2

: a handheld instrument for seeing at a distance that consists of two telescopes, a focusing device, and usually prisms

—usually used in plural

a pair of binoculars

Medical Definition

binocular

1 of 2 adjective

bin·​oc·​u·​lar bī-ˈnäk-yə-lər, bə- 

: of, relating to, using, or adapted to the use of both eyes

binocular vision

a binocular microscope

binocularly

bī-ˈnäk-yə-lər-lē, bə- 

adverb

binocular

2 of 2 noun

bin·​oc·​u·​lar bə-ˈnäk-yə-lər, bī- 

: a binocular optical instrument