focus

1 of 2

noun

fo·​cus ˈfō-kəs How to pronounce focus (audio)
plural foci ˈfō-ˌsī How to pronounce focus (audio)
 also  -ˌkī
also focuses
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
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
focusless adjective

focus

2 of 2

verb

focused also focussed; focusing also focussing

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

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
focusable adjective
focuser noun
Phrases
in focus
: having or giving the proper sharpness of outline due to good focusing
get the binoculars in focus
out of focus
: not in focus

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
Noun
The reports from the Indonesian Hospital come after weeks of focus on Gaza’s main medical facility, Al-Shifa, which Israeli forces stormed for days. Elizabeth Both, NBC News, 20 Nov. 2023 Chinese President Xi Jinping appears to have met his main goal which was to really lower the temperature of tensions to allow more focus on his economy, which after decades of high-speed growth is now slowing down. ABC News, 19 Nov. 2023 Israel has made northern Gaza the focus of its initial ground incursion, sending tanks to divide the territory in two, while urging hundreds of thousands of residents to leave for the south. Loay Ayyoub, Washington Post, 18 Nov. 2023 From there, Ramona goes on her own mission, reckoning with past relationships and coming into clearer focus as a character. Alison Herman, Variety, 17 Nov. 2023 While serious football fans want the focus to stay on football, the NFL is smart to capitalize on this opportunity. Angeline Close Scheinbaum, The Conversation, 17 Nov. 2023 Her focus is on making sure their integration is safe and nurtured. Danae King, The Christian Science Monitor, 17 Nov. 2023 With its design ethos and ecological focus, Manapany represents the next wave of Caribbean hotels. Angelina Villa-Clarke, Condé Nast Traveler, 17 Nov. 2023 Also, breastfeeding thumbnails with focus on breasts without visible areola can now earn ad revenue. Amrita Khalid, The Verge, 17 Nov. 2023
Verb
Try breaking it down by choosing one of the four parts of the portfolio diet to focus on at a time. Rebecca Jaspan, Mph, Rd, Health, 21 Nov. 2023 Both made MoMa’s list of 2023 Contenders, focused on influential, innovative films made in the past 12 months that MoMa believes will stand the test of time. John Hopewell, Variety, 21 Nov. 2023 The transition period needs to be focused on building a viable, sustainable, successful Palestinian state. Emily Bazelon, New York Times, 20 Nov. 2023 The magazine is supposed to focus on the person, on the designer rather than the work of the designer. José Criales-Unzueta, Vogue, 20 Nov. 2023 In Sacramento, Rivas chairs the Natural Resources Committee, enabling her to use her extensive background in science to focus on policy that addresses extreme heat, which has been devastating for her community. Erin B. Logan, Los Angeles Times, 20 Nov. 2023 The resurrection of the Palestinian issue has focused regional attention once again on the Levant. Maria Fantappie and Vali Nasr, Foreign Affairs, 20 Nov. 2023 For example, in Paris, travelers can participate in an excursion focused on dancer, singer and civil rights activist Josephine Baker. Sarah Kuta, Smithsonian Magazine, 20 Nov. 2023 But the celebratory affair, which is being attended by Major League Soccer Commissioner Don Garber and team executives, formally ushers in the franchise’s next chapter as an entity that must, without delay, focus its attention on building something of tangible significance. Jennifer Van Grove, San Diego Union-Tribune, 9 Nov. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'focus.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun and Verb

New Latin, from Latin, hearth

First Known Use

Noun

1664, in the meaning defined at sense 4a

Verb

1807, in the meaning defined at transitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of focus was in 1664

Dictionary Entries Near focus

Cite this Entry

“Focus.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/focus. Accessed 3 Dec. 2023.

Kids Definition

focus

1 of 2 noun
fo·​cus ˈfō-kəs How to pronounce focus (audio)
plural foci -ˌsī How to pronounce focus (audio) 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
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 How to pronounce focus (audio)
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
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

transitive verb

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

intransitive verb

1
: to come to a focus
2
: to adjust one's eye or a camera to a particular range
focusable adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on focus

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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