laser

play

noun, often attributive la·ser \ˈlā-zər\

Definition of laser

1 : a device that utilizes the natural oscillations of atoms or molecules between energy levels for generating a beam of coherent electromagnetic radiation usually in the ultraviolet, visible, or infrared regions of the spectrum; also : the beam of coherent radiation itself The cesium fluoresced. This told them they had the necessary population of excited atoms to produce a laser. — Nick Taylor
2 : something resembling a laser beam in accuracy, speed, or intensity threw a laser into the end zone a laser stare

See laser defined for English-language learners

See laser defined for kids

Examples of laser in a Sentence

doctors using a laser to perform delicate eye surgery

Recent Examples of laser from the Web

This mindset helps explain why global nonprofits have a laser-like focus on distributing copious amounts of contraception in Africa, under the guise of human rights.

— alexandra desanctis, National Review, "Population Control, the Undying Dream of the Left," 13 July 2017
Finally, very slowly but surely, the laser is living up to its billing.

— kat eschner, Smithsonian, "Today We Use Lasers For Almost Everything. But They Took a Long Time to Seem Useful," 8 July 2017
The process exposes a tattoo to pulses of high-intensity laser energy.

— healthday, chicagotribune.com, "Tattoo remorse? What you need to know about erasing your ink," 3 July 2017
Republicans have focused like a laser on passing the legislation quickly — and secretively — in hopes of getting to a conference committee where the House and Senate can negotiate the final product.

— aaron blake, Washington Post, "The GOP’s health-care bill is political kryptonite," 28 June 2017
DeWine declined to offer any further information or indicate why investigators are laser focused on the family and when asked again Tuesday refused to elaborate.

— carrie cochran, Cincinnati.com, "Lawyer: Mike DeWine is harassing family in Rhoden case that moved to Alaska," 27 June 2017
Sony, with a hardware package that was easy to use for both game developers and consumers, and a laser focus on drawing the best games, quickly took a wide lead.

— matt day, The Seattle Times, "When the going got tough, Nintendo and Microsoft decided to go for broke on video-game strategy," 24 June 2017
Each pulse from ChemCam’s laser delivers more than 1 million watts of power.

— marina koren, The Atlantic, "The Mars Robot Making Decisions on Its Own," 23 June 2017
The centerpiece of the ceremony was Swarvoski's dress — a princess A-line style with laser-cut flowers, paillettes, and 500,000 Swarovski crystals, according to People.

— braelyn wood, Cosmopolitan, "This Swarovski Heiress's Wedding Is Basically a Real-Life Fairytale," 21 June 2017

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

Origin and Etymology of laser

light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation

NEW! Time Traveler

First Known Use: 1957

See Words from the same year

laser

verb la·ser

Definition of laser

transitive verb
: to subject to the action of a laser : treat with a laser

Recent Examples of laser from the Web

Kizer, who lasered a shot to a leaping David Njoku in the end zone for a TD in one team period, struggled later in his two-minute drill.

— mary kay cabot, cleveland.com, "Hue Jackson put DeShone Kizer 1st in QB rotation because 'I've got to see him with good people'," 14 June 2017
While the sisters get lasered, Kourtney invites her sisters to a pinball competition at her friend’s husband’s new restaurant.

— mariah smith, The Cut, "Even Kardashians Are Told to Freeze Their Eggs," 12 June 2017
A week later, a Delta airliner was lasered while approaching the Gerald R. Ford International Airport in Grand Rapids.

— Washington Post, "States alarmed by laser strikes on aircraft are passing laws," 25 Apr. 2017

First Known Use of laser

1978

LASER Defined for English Language Learners

laser

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noun

Definition of laser for English Language Learners

: a device that produces a narrow and powerful beam of light that has many special uses in medicine, industry, etc.

LASER Defined for Kids

laser

play

noun la·ser \ˈlā-zər\

Definition of laser for Students

: a device that produces a very powerful beam of light

Medical Dictionary

laser

noun la·ser \ˈlā-zər\

Medical Definition of laser

: a device that utilizes the natural oscillations of atoms or molecules between energy levels for generating coherent electromagnetic radiation usually in the ultraviolet, visible, or infrared regions of the spectrum

laser

transitive verb la·ser

Medical Definition of laser

: to subject to the action of a laser : treat with a laser cutting a corneal flap to remove tissue and then lasering the area under it—Jenny Manzer