: of, relating to, being, or having a focus
Examples of focal in a Sentence
a focal figure in the movement
Recent Examples on the Web
This excessive sweating may be diagnosed as focal hyperhidrosis.
—
Cathy Cassata, Health, 29 July 2023
Lenses with a small focal length have a wider viewing angle, and high focal-length lenses have a narrow one.
—Brandon Russell, Popular Mechanics, 29 Mar. 2023
While there is a small risk that some cancer may be left behind after treatment, focal therapy also has the benefit of minimizing risks for erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence, which are both potential side effects of radical prostatectomy.
—Charlie Schmidt, Chicago Tribune, 9 Aug. 2023
Outlined in white, the focal colour is a bright 'arsenic' green, which was very popular in the early 19th Century.
—Michael Stillwell, Town & Country, 2 Aug. 2023
Climate change and advancing emerging industries are two of the newest focal areas along with a sincere effort to diversify science as a career for women and people of color who want to participate.
—Washington Post Staff, Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2023
Give flair and function to empty spaces created by stairs
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Stairs often create a big, rounded area that’s ideal for a focal table.
—Gina Mayfield, Dallas News, 19 July 2023
The team also found that veterans of the Vietnam War who had focal brain damage from old shrapnel wounds showed a lower propensity for alcoholism when the impaired brain region was in the same network.
—IEEE Spectrum, 11 July 2023
The best winter outfits always start with a great focal outerwear piece and the 13 aviator jackets below are exactly that and more.
—Kristina Rutkowski, Harper's BAZAAR, 29 Dec. 2022
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Cathy Cassata, Health, 29 July 2023
Lenses with a small focal length have a wider viewing angle, and high focal-length lenses have a narrow one.
—Brandon Russell, Popular Mechanics, 29 Mar. 2023
While there is a small risk that some cancer may be left behind after treatment, focal therapy also has the benefit of minimizing risks for erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence, which are both potential side effects of radical prostatectomy.
—Charlie Schmidt, Chicago Tribune, 9 Aug. 2023
Outlined in white, the focal colour is a bright 'arsenic' green, which was very popular in the early 19th Century.
—Michael Stillwell, Town & Country, 2 Aug. 2023
Climate change and advancing emerging industries are two of the newest focal areas along with a sincere effort to diversify science as a career for women and people of color who want to participate.
—Washington Post Staff, Washington Post, 29 Mar. 2023
Give flair and function to empty spaces created by stairs
Advertisement
Stairs often create a big, rounded area that’s ideal for a focal table.
—Gina Mayfield, Dallas News, 19 July 2023
The team also found that veterans of the Vietnam War who had focal brain damage from old shrapnel wounds showed a lower propensity for alcoholism when the impaired brain region was in the same network.
—IEEE Spectrum, 11 July 2023
The best winter outfits always start with a great focal outerwear piece and the 13 aviator jackets below are exactly that and more.
—Kristina Rutkowski, Harper's BAZAAR, 29 Dec. 2022
See More
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'focal.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1676, in the meaning defined above
Phrases Containing focal
Dictionary Entries Near focal
Cite this Entry
“Focal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/focal. Accessed 4 Oct. 2023.
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More from Merriam-Webster on focal
Nglish: Translation of focal for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of focal for Arabic Speakers
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