magnification

noun

mag·​ni·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌmag-nə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

1

: the act of magnifying

2

a

: the state of being magnified

b

: the apparent enlargement of an object by an optical instrument

called also power

Synonyms

• exaggeration
• enhancement
• caricature
• coloring
• stretching

Examples of magnification in a Sentence

We used a microscope to examine the cells under magnification.

At higher magnifications the differences between the cells become clear.

Recent Examples on the Web

Avoid maximum magnification, which can exaggerate atmospheric turbulence and make the image shimmer or blur. —Joe Rao, Space.com, 10 Aug. 2025

At less than 1/32 of an inch, or 1 mm, long, adults are barely visible without magnification. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 5 Aug. 2025

For example, a magnifying glass with 5x magnification power makes the object appear five times closer to you. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 6 June 2025

Binoculars with a lower magnification offer a wider field of view, while those with a higher magnification offer a narrower field of view. —Jessica MacDonald, Travel + Leisure, 17 July 2025

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Rhymes for magnification

• abbreviation
• abomination
• acceleration
• accentuation
• accommodation
• accreditation
• acculturation
• accumulation
• acetylation
• adjudication
• administration
• adulteration

Kids Definition

magnification

noun

mag·​ni·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌmag-nə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

1

: the act of magnifying

2

a

: the state of being magnified

b

: the apparent enlargement of an object by an optical instrument

called also power

Medical Definition

magnification

noun

mag·​ni·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌmag-nə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

1

: the act of magnifying

2

a

: the state of being magnified

b

: the apparent enlargement of an object by an optical instrument that is the ratio of the dimensions of an image formed by the instrument to the corresponding dimensions of the object

called also power