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

As binocular magnification increases, shake from handholding binoculars becomes worse. —Matt Morris, Space.com, 4 Mar. 2026

At less than 1/32 of an inch, or 1 mm, long, adults are barely visible without magnification. —Arricca Elin Sansone, Southern Living, 3 Mar. 2026

The magnification primes the eye to luxuriate in what was designed for disposability, with halftone dots expanding into visible texture. —Anel Rakhimzhanova, Artforum, 1 Mar. 2026

And your camera attached to a small telescope with magnifications between 20-30 would give you stunning photos. —Dean Regas, Cincinnati Enquirer, 27 Feb. 2026

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