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 of magnification

• 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

For example, a telescope with 660mm focal length and a 10mm eyepiece will have a magnification of 66x. —Jamie Carter, Space.com, 30 Nov. 2025

The clear magnification helps bring color and movement into focus, making every sighting more memorable. —Kelly McGreal, FOXNews.com, 25 Nov. 2025

Senior Editor Looking at the world at eight times its normal magnification very quickly changed my life. —The Atlantic, 19 Nov. 2025

Higher magnification eyepieces are generally used on planets and the moon. —Mike Lynch, Twin Cities, 9 Nov. 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