1
a
: a center of activity, attraction, or attention
the focus of the meeting was drug abuse
put immigration into focus as a hot topic for commentators
b
: a point of concentration
2
: directed attention : emphasis
The focus is on helping the homeless.
3
a
: direction sense 6c
the team lost focus
b
: a state or condition permitting clear perception or understanding
tried to bring the issues into focus
c
: adjustment for distinct vision
also
: the area that may be seen distinctly or resolved into a clear image
d
4
a
: a point at which rays (as of light, heat, or sound) converge or from which they diverge or appear to diverge
specifically
: the point where the geometrical lines or their prolongations conforming to the rays diverging from or converging toward another point intersect and give rise to an image after reflection by a mirror or refraction by a lens or optical system
b
: a point of convergence (see convergence sense 1) of a beam of particles (such as electrons)
5
: one of the fixed points that with the corresponding directrix defines a conic section
6
: a localized area of disease or the chief site of a generalized disease or infection
7
: the place of origin of an earthquake or moonquake
focused also focussed; focusing also focussing
1
: to cause to be concentrated
focused their attention on the most urgent problems
2
a
: to adjust the focus of (the eye, a lens, etc.)
focus the telescope
b
: to bring into focus
The results of that research were focused for classroom presentation.
3
: to bring (something, such as light rays) to a focus : concentrate
1
: to concentrate attention or effort
focus on the most pressing needs
2
: to adjust one's eye or a camera to a particular range
Newborn babies cannot focus for several months.
3
: to come to a focus : converge
focuser
noun
Did you know?
The Latin word focus meant “hearth, fireplace.” In the scientific Latin of the 17th century, the word is used to refer to the point at which rays of light refracted by a lens converge. Because rays of sunlight when directed by a magnifying glass can produce enough heat to ignite paper, a word meaning “fireplace” is quite appropriate as a metaphor to describe their convergence point. From this sense of focus have arisen extended senses such as “center of activity.”
Examples of focus in a Sentence
Noun
He's successful, but he feels that his life lacks focus.
His life lacks a focus.
Verb
She has an amazing ability to focus for hours at a time.
I wasn't able to focus the camera.
I wasn't able to get the camera to focus.
Recent Examples on the Web
Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025
Fabien Westerhoff will take on the executive role of Managing Director of the theatrical film division bringing together the complementary strengths of both companies, with a strategic market focus on animation, family entertainment, and genre cinema.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 29 Apr. 2025
Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 1 May 2025
Whereas other toddlers might listen for a spell and then peel away to do something more interesting, like chase a passing dog or stare at an iPad, Julian could focus for an hour straight, totally mesmerized.
—Ashlea Halpern, AFAR Media, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for focus
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to
show current usage.
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Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors.
Send us feedback.
Noun
Bluesky is a decentralized social media platform developed as an alternative to Twitter (now X), with a focus on transparency, user control, and open-source protocols.
—Mohammed Soliman, MSNBC Newsweek, 29 Apr. 2025
Fabien Westerhoff will take on the executive role of Managing Director of the theatrical film division bringing together the complementary strengths of both companies, with a strategic market focus on animation, family entertainment, and genre cinema.
—Melanie Goodfellow, Deadline, 29 Apr. 2025
Verb
For Catholics, the pope acts as a moral compass by speaking out on matters of faith and principles; Francis focused on social justice and reaching out to marginalized communities.
—Marc Ramirez, USA Today, 1 May 2025
Whereas other toddlers might listen for a spell and then peel away to do something more interesting, like chase a passing dog or stare at an iPad, Julian could focus for an hour straight, totally mesmerized.
—Ashlea Halpern, AFAR Media, 30 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for focus
Cite this Entry
“Focus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/focus. Accessed 6 May. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
focus
1 of 2 noun
fo·cus
ˈfō-kəs 
plural foci
-ˌsī
also focuses
also focuses
1
: a point at which rays (as of light, heat, or sound) meet or from which they draw apart or appear to draw apart
especially
: the point at which an image is formed by a mirror, lens, or optical system
2
a
b
: adjustment (as of the eye or binoculars) for clear vision
bring into focus
3
: one of the two points within an ellipse the sum of whose distances from any point on the ellipse is a constant number
4
: a center of activity or interest
5
: the starting point of an earthquake
focus
2 of 2 verb
focused also focussed; focusing also focussing
1
a
: to bring into focus
b
: to adjust the focus of
focus a telescope
2
: to cause to be concentrated
focus attention on a problem
3
: to bring to a focus
focus rays of light
4
: to come to a focus
5
: to adjust one's eye or a camera to a certain range
Medical Definition
focus
1 of 2 noun
fo·cus
ˈfō-kəs
plural foci
ˈfō-ˌsī also -ˌkī
also focuses
1
a
: a point at which rays (as of light, heat, or sound) converge or from which they diverge or appear to diverge
specifically
: the point where the geometrical lines or their prolongations conforming to the rays diverging from or converging toward another point intersect and give rise to an image after reflection by a mirror or refraction by a lens or optical system
b
: a point of convergence of a beam of particles (as electrons)
2
a
b
: adjustment for distinct vision
also
: the area that may be seen distinctly or resolved into a clear image
3
: a localized area of disease or the chief site of a generalized disease or infection
focus
2 of 2 verb
focused also focussed; focusing also focussing
1
: to bring (as light rays) to a focus
2
a
: to adjust the focus of (as the eye or a lens)
b
: to bring (as an image) into focus
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