microscope

noun

mi·cro·scope | \ ˈmī-krə-ˌskōp

Definition of microscope

1 : an optical instrument consisting of a lens or combination of lenses for making enlarged images of minute objects especially : compound microscope

2 : a non-optical instrument (such as one using radiations other than light or using vibrations) for making enlarged images of minute objects an acoustic microscope

Examples of microscope in a Sentence

Students viewed the crystals through a microscope.

Recent Examples on the Web Even questions asked in interviews are being put under a microscope. — BostonGlobe.com, "Top Places to Work: Diversity edition," 26 Apr. 2021 The backgrounds of victims are placed under a microscope. — New York Times, "How the Trial Over Floyd’s Death Flipped the Script for Black Victims," 24 Apr. 2021 Even under a microscope, the single-file lines of cells are nearly indistinguishable from the vine’s own. — Quanta Magazine, "DNA of Giant ‘Corpse Flower’ Parasite Surprises Biologists," 21 Apr. 2021 To look at something under a microscope, a specimen is typically placed on a glass slide. — Kenneth Chang, Star Tribune, "Snowflakes as you've never seen them before," 25 Mar. 2021 Still, like Ainge said, the franchise is now built around the star tandem and the microscope is on them. — Sean Deveney, Forbes, "Boston Celtics’ Brown-Tatum Tandem Under Fire, Unfairly," 26 Feb. 2021 Pulling off that shift while under the government’s microscope will be difficult to say the least. — Laura Forman, WSJ, "Facebook’s Profile Will Change, Win or Lose," 10 Dec. 2020 Other earnings reports to potentially keep an eye on this week include Johnson & Johnson (JNJ), which of course is under a microscope after a pause in the use of its vaccine, Abbott Labs (ABT), and Lockheed Martin (LMT). — Jj Kinahan, Forbes, "Earnings Parade: Crowded Schedule This Week And Next Could Help Answer Questions," 19 Apr. 2021 The pollens stick to the grease, then the center stains and counts them under a microscope. — Hannah Kirby, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Spring pollen has arrived in Wisconsin. Here's how to tell the difference between COVID-19 and allergies," 14 Apr. 2021

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

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Last Updated

5 May 2021

Cite this Entry

“Microscope.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/microscope. Accessed 14 May. 2021.

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More Definitions for microscope

microscope

noun

English Language Learners Definition of microscope

: a device used for producing a much larger view of very small objects so that they can be seen clearly

See the full definition for microscope in the English Language Learners Dictionary

microscope

noun

mi·cro·scope | \ ˈmī-krə-ˌskōp

Kids Definition of microscope

: an instrument with one or more lenses used to help a person to see something very small by making it appear larger

microscope

noun

mi·cro·scope | \ ˈmī-krə-ˌskōp

Medical Definition of microscope

1 : an optical instrument consisting of a lens or combination of lenses for making enlarged images of minute objects especially : compound microscope — see light microscope, phase-contrast microscope, polarizing microscope, reflecting microscope, ultraviolet microscope

2 : an instrument using radiations other than light or using vibrations for making enlarged images of minute objects an acoustic microscope — see electron microscope, scanning electron microscope, x-ray microscope