binocular
noun
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
Then be sure to read our picks of the best telescopes and binoculars for exploring the night sky, along with our beginner's guide to observing the moon!
—
Anthony Wood, Space.com, 29 May 2026
Dozens of birders with binoculars lined the sanctuary trails as colorful songbirds moved through the trees.
—Christiana Freitag, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2026
Some fans made light of the affair by dressing in camouflage and holding up binoculars and one source told The Athletic that Phil Parsons, Southampton’s CEO, had a conciliatory conversation with Gibson at the Riverside stadium.
—Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 20 May 2026
With just a thin crescent of sunlight on the lunar surface, the human eye (and certainly binoculars and cameras) can detect light on the darkened region of the moon.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 16 May 2026
See All Example Sentences for binocular
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
Read More
Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Anthony Wood, Space.com, 29 May 2026
Dozens of birders with binoculars lined the sanctuary trails as colorful songbirds moved through the trees.
—Christiana Freitag, Chicago Tribune, 22 May 2026
Some fans made light of the affair by dressing in camouflage and holding up binoculars and one source told The Athletic that Phil Parsons, Southampton’s CEO, had a conciliatory conversation with Gibson at the Riverside stadium.
—Dan Sheldon, New York Times, 20 May 2026
With just a thin crescent of sunlight on the lunar surface, the human eye (and certainly binoculars and cameras) can detect light on the darkened region of the moon.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes.com, 16 May 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 11 Jun. 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
Love words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
