electro-optical
adjective
elec·tro-op·ti·cal
i-ˌlek-trō-ˈäp-ti-kəl 
variants
or electro-optic
1
: of or relating to electro-optics
2
a
: relating to or being a change in the refractive index of a material due to an electric field
electro-optical effect
b
: using or being a material that exhibits electro-optical properties
an electro-optical crystal
3
: relating to or being an electronic device for emitting, modulating, transmitting, or sensing light
Examples of electro-optical in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Laser Directed Energy Weapon system, which uses radar and electro-optical sensors to track low-flying targets, including quadcopters and helicopters.
—
Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
The payload was a new-generation small electro-optical reconnaissance satellite for BlackSky.
—Ars Technica, 21 Feb. 2025
The containerized launch system also incorporates electro-optical and infrared targeting cameras, allowing remote operation so that operators can fire missiles from a safe distance.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025
This electro-optical regeneration process was cumbersome and costly.
—IEEE Spectrum, 26 Jan. 2016
Switchblade 600 checks all of LASSO’s boxes, including an electro-optical sensor, multi-effects anti-tank/anti-armor warhead (the warhead is actually derived from the Javelin missile), and basic three-piece setup.
—Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 9 Aug. 2023
Helsing’s flagship system absorbs huge amounts of data generated by the sensors (electro-optical, infrared, sonar) and weapons systems (fighter jets, drones, helicopters) used in modern warfare.
—Morgan Meaker, WIRED, 20 July 2023
The boxes, each measuring 6 meters long and 2 meters high, are connected to a power system on land via a 42-kilometer-long electro-optical cable.
—Dhananjay Khadilkar, Ars Technica, 31 Mar. 2023
This includes a number of visual sensors, in particular an infrared (IR) sensor and an electro-optical (EO) sensor, which consists of a color sensor and a monochrome daylight TV camera.
—Jason Sherman, Scientific American, 17 Mar. 2023
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.
Vikram Mittal, Forbes.com, 23 Apr. 2025
The payload was a new-generation small electro-optical reconnaissance satellite for BlackSky.
—Ars Technica, 21 Feb. 2025
The containerized launch system also incorporates electro-optical and infrared targeting cameras, allowing remote operation so that operators can fire missiles from a safe distance.
—Josh Hammer, Newsweek, 14 Feb. 2025
This electro-optical regeneration process was cumbersome and costly.
—IEEE Spectrum, 26 Jan. 2016
Switchblade 600 checks all of LASSO’s boxes, including an electro-optical sensor, multi-effects anti-tank/anti-armor warhead (the warhead is actually derived from the Javelin missile), and basic three-piece setup.
—Kyle Mizokami, Popular Mechanics, 9 Aug. 2023
Helsing’s flagship system absorbs huge amounts of data generated by the sensors (electro-optical, infrared, sonar) and weapons systems (fighter jets, drones, helicopters) used in modern warfare.
—Morgan Meaker, WIRED, 20 July 2023
The boxes, each measuring 6 meters long and 2 meters high, are connected to a power system on land via a 42-kilometer-long electro-optical cable.
—Dhananjay Khadilkar, Ars Technica, 31 Mar. 2023
This includes a number of visual sensors, in particular an infrared (IR) sensor and an electro-optical (EO) sensor, which consists of a color sensor and a monochrome daylight TV camera.
—Jason Sherman, Scientific American, 17 Mar. 2023
Cite this Entry
“Electro-optical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/electro-optical. Accessed 9 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
Share