focal

adjective

Save Word

fo·cal | \ ˈfō-kəl

\

Definition of focal

: of, relating to, being, or having a focus

Other Words from focal Example Sentences Learn More about focal

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of focal in a Sentence

a focal figure in the movement

Recent Examples on the Web Since nationwide protests over racial injustice and police brutality have coursed through the country this year, BLM signs have regularly been focal points for acts of vandalism. — Washington Post, "A Black family put up a BLM sign. Then they found their cars on fire and Trump graffiti painted on their garage, they say.," 23 Nov. 2020 Arrange accents in groupings of twos and threes to create focal points. — oregonlive, "Zooming with the family over the holidays? Style your room with impressive books, plants, collectibles on sale," 12 Dec. 2020 The Maasai ethnic group in Kenya provided one of the project’s first focal points. — Rachel Feltman, Popular Science, "Sharing doesn’t make you a sucker. This scientist has the numbers to prove it.," 7 Dec. 2020 Their shop offers a colorful experience of wares, including focal pieces for the home, artwork and gifts. — Shelby Simon | Contributing Writer, NOLA.com, "Shop profile: 'Making magic' at Uptown's Hazelnut," 4 Dec. 2020 For this DIY Christmas wreath, design the layout around the main focal element, the orange slices. — Sarah Martens, Better Homes & Gardens, "How to Make a Farmhouse Dried Orange Wreath," 18 Nov. 2020 This focal vision activates the sympathetic nervous system. — Jessica Wapner, Scientific American, "Vision and Breathing May Be the Secrets to Surviving 2020," 16 Nov. 2020 Riflescopes in this field are by definition versatile, configured to match a variety of rifle actions, and with simple, second-focal-plane reticles and capped turrets. — John B. Snow, Outdoor Life, "We Tested the Best-Selling Affordable Deer Rifles, Scopes, and Ammo. Here Are Our Top Picks," 6 Nov. 2020 Igor Siwanowicz, a research scientist at the Howard Hughes Medical Institute’s Janelia Research Campus, magnified the snail tongue 40 times and photographed the layers with a laser at different focal lengths. — Theresa Machemer, Smithsonian Magazine, "From a Zebrafish to Nylon Stockings, See This Year’s Small World Photography Winners," 15 Oct. 2020

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'focal.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about focal

Dictionary Entries near focal

Statistics for focal

Last Updated

10 Jan 2021

Cite this Entry

“Focal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/focal. Accessed 23 Jan. 2021.

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for focal

focal

adjective

English Language Learners Definition of focal

: having central or great importance

See the full definition for focal in the English Language Learners Dictionary

focal

adjective

fo·cal | \ ˈfō-kəl

\

Kids Definition of focal

1 : of, relating to, or having a focus

2 : having central or great importance She is a focal character in the story.

focal

adjective

fo·cal | \ ˈfō-kəl

\

Medical Definition of focal

: of, relating to, being, or having a focus

WORD OF THE DAY

ad hominem

See Definitions and Examples »

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Slippery Words Quiz—Changing with the Times

What is an earlier meaning of nice?

Test your vocabulary with our 10-question quiz!

TAKE THE QUIZ

Spell words. Make bears.

TAKE THE QUIZ

focal

Definition of focal

Other Words from focal

Examples of focal in a Sentence

First Known Use of focal

Learn More about focal

Dictionary Entries near focal

Statistics for focal

English Language Learners Definition of focal

Kids Definition of focal