focal

adjective

fo·​cal ˈfō-kəl How to pronounce focal (audio)
: of, relating to, being, or having a focus
focally adverb

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 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

Time Traveler
The first known use of focal was in 1676

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.

Kids Definition

focal

adjective
fo·​cal ˈfō-kəl How to pronounce focal (audio)
: of, relating to, or having a focus
focally adverb

Medical Definition

focal

adjective
fo·​cal ˈfō-kəl How to pronounce focal (audio)
: of, relating to, being, or having a focus
focally adverb

More from Merriam-Webster on focal

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