optical
adjective
op·ti·cal
ˈäp-ti-kəl 
1
: of or relating to the science of optics
2
a
: of or relating to vision : visual
b
: visible sense 1
optical wavelength
c
: of, relating to, or being objects that emit light in the visible range of frequencies
an optical galaxy
d
: using the properties of light to aid vision
an optical instrument
3
a
: of, relating to, or utilizing light especially instead of other forms of energy
optical microscopy
b
: involving the use of light-sensitive devices to acquire information for a computer
optical character recognition
4
: of or relating to optical art
Examples of optical in a Sentence
The company manufactures microscopes, telescopes, and other optical instruments.
an optical illusion that fools most people
Recent Examples on the Web
The camera will use its 5.1-foot-wide optical lens to take a 15-second exposure of the sky every 20 seconds, automatically changing filters to view light in every wavelength from near-ultraviolet to the near-infrared.
—
Isaac Schultz / Gizmodo, Quartz, 3 Apr. 2024
The home’s optical mogul owner, Massimo Musa, is the co-founder of My Eyelab, the Lasik Vision Institute, Eyeglass World, and Stanton Optical.
—Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 1 Apr. 2024
That’s because optical devices can concentrate solar rays, which can then cause eye injury, according to NASA.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 1 Apr. 2024
Archivists also use software that picks up images of text, called optical character recognition, but humans are still better at parsing old documents.
—USA TODAY, 1 Apr. 2024
As is the case with the RF 200-800mm, all these lenses include optical stabilization and work with rear teleconverters.
—PCMAG, 22 Mar. 2024
Beyond their optical brilliance, Piccioli’s designs are distinguished by a sort of luminance of purpose.
—Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 22 Mar. 2024
Both the ascent vehicle and waiting service module will begin phasing maneuvers needed to rendezvous and dock, made possible by inertial measurement units, radar and optical navigation, docking ports, capture mechanisms and software algorithms, again using Chang’e-5’s mission profile as guide.
—IEEE Spectrum, 20 Mar. 2024
Our eyes continue to be dazzled by optical tricks, such as trompe l’oeil patterns that collapse dimensions.
—Arlene Hirst, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2024
Isaac Schultz / Gizmodo, Quartz, 3 Apr. 2024
The home’s optical mogul owner, Massimo Musa, is the co-founder of My Eyelab, the Lasik Vision Institute, Eyeglass World, and Stanton Optical.
—Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 1 Apr. 2024
That’s because optical devices can concentrate solar rays, which can then cause eye injury, according to NASA.
—Cnn.com Wire Service, The Mercury News, 1 Apr. 2024
Archivists also use software that picks up images of text, called optical character recognition, but humans are still better at parsing old documents.
—USA TODAY, 1 Apr. 2024
As is the case with the RF 200-800mm, all these lenses include optical stabilization and work with rear teleconverters.
—PCMAG, 22 Mar. 2024
Beyond their optical brilliance, Piccioli’s designs are distinguished by a sort of luminance of purpose.
—Laird Borrelli-Persson, Vogue, 22 Mar. 2024
Both the ascent vehicle and waiting service module will begin phasing maneuvers needed to rendezvous and dock, made possible by inertial measurement units, radar and optical navigation, docking ports, capture mechanisms and software algorithms, again using Chang’e-5’s mission profile as guide.
—IEEE Spectrum, 20 Mar. 2024
Our eyes continue to be dazzled by optical tricks, such as trompe l’oeil patterns that collapse dimensions.
—Arlene Hirst, New York Times, 8 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'optical.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Word History
First Known Use
1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Phrases Containing optical
Dictionary Entries Near optical
Cite this Entry
“Optical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/optical. Accessed 18 Apr. 2024.
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Kids Definition
optical
adjective
op·ti·cal
ˈäp-ti-kəl
1
: relating to optics
2
: of or relating to vision
3
a
: of, relating to, or using light
an optical telescope
b
: involving the use of a device that senses light to acquire information for a computer
an optical scanner
Medical Definition
optical
adjective
op·ti·cal
ˈäp-ti-kəl
More from Merriam-Webster on optical
Nglish: Translation of optical for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of optical for Arabic Speakers
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