bin·oc·u·lar
bə-ˈnä-kyə-lər 
bī-
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
Jase Parnell-Brookes, Space.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Another visual test, called binocular rivalry, has a similar effect: each eye is shown a different image, and people perceive either one or the other but never a mix of the two.
—Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 20 Jan. 2026
Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 19 Feb. 2026
The 7x50 configuration offers a wide, bright field of view that’s forgiving for handheld use, while 10x50 binoculars provide slightly more magnification with the same 50mm objective lens for solid light gathering.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 19 Feb. 2026
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Adjective
Another special skill for binocular astronomers that isn’t intuitive is averted vision.
—Jase Parnell-Brookes, Space.com, 23 Jan. 2026
Another visual test, called binocular rivalry, has a similar effect: each eye is shown a different image, and people perceive either one or the other but never a mix of the two.
—Allison Parshall, Scientific American, 20 Jan. 2026
Noun
To have a chance at seeing the full lineup, observers will need a clear view due west, clear skies and binoculars or a telescope.
—Ryan Brennan, Kansas City Star, 19 Feb. 2026
The 7x50 configuration offers a wide, bright field of view that’s forgiving for handheld use, while 10x50 binoculars provide slightly more magnification with the same 50mm objective lens for solid light gathering.
—Ryan Brennan, Miami Herald, 19 Feb. 2026
See All Example Sentences for binocular
Cite this Entry
“Binocular.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/binocular. Accessed 20 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
binocular
2 of 2 noun
bin·oc·u·lar
bə-ˈnäk-yə-lər, bī-
: a binocular optical instrument
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