multifocal

adjective

mul·​ti·​fo·​cal ˌməl-ti-ˈfō-kəl 

: having multiple foci: such as

a

of a disease : arising from or present in more than one location or localized area of the body

multifocal pneumonia with infiltrates throughout both lungs

… Kaposi's sarcoma is "multifocal" with a storm of lesions springing up simultaneously in several spots, in contrast to cancer's single-cell origin.

—Marilyn Chase

b

: having two or more parts that correct vision at different focal distances : having more than one focal length

multifocal eyeglasses

compare bifocal entry 1, trifocal entry 1

Examples of multifocal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Single-vision lenses can correct one vision problem at a time, while multifocal lenses can correct multiple vision problems at a time. —Lindsay Curtis, Health, 10 Sep. 2025

For example, those with presbyopia can opt for multifocal lenses. —Malana Vantyler, AZCentral.com, 28 Aug. 2025

But this wasn’t just any epilepsy; Clara had multifocal epilepsy, a rare and severe form that resists all medication. —Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, FOXNews.com, 11 Apr. 2025

Ash was diagnosed with a mucinous borderline tumor of the right ovary with multifocal microinvasion. —William Lambers, Newsweek, 9 Mar. 2025

He’s found connections between poor vision, multifocal glasses, and fall risk. —Matt Fuchs, TIME, 7 Mar. 2025

In Berntsen's study, nearly 300 children, ages 7 to 11, were randomly assigned to wear regular, single-vision contact lenses or multifocal lenses. —Adrianna Rodriguez, USA TODAY, 1 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for multifocal

• univocal
• cloacal
• focal
• local
• sokol
• vocal
• confocal
• nonlocal

Medical Definition

multifocal

adjective

mul·​ti·​fo·​cal ˌməl-ti-ˈfō-kəl 

1

: having more than one focal length

multifocal lenses

2

: arising from or occurring in more than one focus or location

multifocal seizures