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

The first number indicates the degree of magnification. —The New York Times, San Diego Union-Tribune, 15 June 2025

Affordable ones with a medium magnification can retail for $30-$70. —Bestreviews, Mercury News, 12 May 2025

Uranus - The blue, green orb of Uranus can be spotted with a small telescope and good magnification under calm seeing conditions, said the observatory. —Diana Leyva, Nashville Tennessean, 4 Feb. 2025

For a more detailed view, binoculars or a small telescope with low magnification can be used, Masi said. —Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 17 June 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