microscope

noun

mi·​cro·​scope ˈmī-krə-ˌskōp 

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

The scientists then placed human embryos donated for research after infertility treatments, as well as primitive embryo-like entities created from stem cells — called embryoids — inside their tiny wombs on chips and peered through a microscope to watch what happened next. —Rob Stein, NPR, 23 Dec. 2025

In addition to sharpening your voice and putting everyday conversations under a microscope, having the sun, Venus and Mercury moving through your third house makes your exchanges all the more significant. —Valerie Mesa, PEOPLE, 21 Dec. 2025

Moore, who served two seasons as head coach, was already under a microscope earlier this year when he was suspended for two games during the 2025 season amid an NCAA sign-stealing investigation. —Dejanay Booth-Singleton, CBS News, 18 Dec. 2025

But Epstein apparently wasn’t worried about being under the FBI’s microscope. —Julie K. Brown, Miami Herald, 18 Dec. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin microscopium, from micr- + -scopium -scope

First Known Use

1648, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing microscope

• atomic force microscope
• compound microscope
• dark-field microscope
• dissecting microscope
• electron microscope
• phase-contrast microscope
• put under the microscope
• scanning electron microscope
• scanning tunneling microscope
• under a/the microscope

Rhymes for microscope

• antelope
• bronchoscope
• cantaloupe
• cystoscope
• endoscope
• envelope
• epitope
• gyroscope
• horoscope
• isotope
• misanthrope
• pericope

Kids Definition

microscope

noun

mi·​cro·​scope ˈmī-krə-ˌskōp 

1

: an optical instrument consisting of a lens or a combination of lenses for making enlarged or magnified images of minute objects

2

: an instrument using radiation other than light for making enlarged images of very small objects

Medical Definition

microscope

noun

mi·​cro·​scope ˈmī-krə-ˌskōp 

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