fiber optics

plural noun

1

: thin transparent fibers of glass or plastic that are enclosed by material of a lower refractive index and that transmit light throughout their length by internal reflections

also : a bundle of such fibers used in an instrument (as for viewing body cavities)

2

singular in construction : the technique of the use of fiber optics

Examples of fiber optics in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The telecom industry has spent hundreds of billions of dollars laying the fiber optics network down. —Georgina Jedikovska, Interesting Engineering, 24 Mar. 2026

In modern fiber optics, this loss is so small that light can travel hundreds of miles and still be seen. —John Ballato, The Conversation, 24 Mar. 2026

This year, crews will install fiber optics to prep for a lot of gantries that will be used up and down the Interstate 80/94 corridor, from Interstate 65 to Ill. 394, to provide up-to-date messaging for drivers. —Doug Ross, Chicago Tribune, 20 Mar. 2026

The result is a statute built for a world of rotary dials, operating in a world defined by fiber optics and streaming platforms. —Jay Caruso, The Washington Examiner, 27 Feb. 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1956, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

fiber optics

noun

1

plural : thin transparent enclosed fibers of glass or plastic that carry light by internal reflections

also : a bundle of such fibers used in an instrument

2

: the technique of the use of fiber optics

Medical Definition

fiber optics

noun plural

variants or chiefly British fibre optics

1

: thin transparent fibers of glass or plastic that are enclosed by material of a lower index of refraction and that transmit light throughout their length by internal reflections

also : a bundle of such fibers used in an instrument (as an endoscope)

2

singular in construction : the technique of the use of fiber optics

fiber-optic adjective

or chiefly British fibre-optic

ˈfī-bə-ˌräp-tik