optical

play

adjective op·ti·cal \ ˈäp-ti-kəl \

Definition of optical

1 :of or relating to the science of optics

2 a :of or relating to vision :visual

b :visible 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

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optically

play \ˈäp-ti-k(ə-)lē\ adverb

See optical defined for English-language learners

See optical defined for kids

Examples of optical in a Sentence

The company manufactures microscopes, telescopes, and other optical instruments.
an optical illusion that fools most people

Recent Examples of optical from the Web

To match this absurd intensity, Kraus and his colleagues used two types of laser - one optical, one X-ray - to produce shock waves.

— sarah kaplan, chicagotribune.com, "It rains solid diamonds on Uranus and Neptune," 25 Aug. 2017
According to a press release, the team exposed polystyrene, a type of plastic composed of carbon and hydrogen, to shock waves produced by a high-powered optical laser and x-rays.

— jason daley, Smithsonian, "It May Rain Diamonds Inside Neptune and Uranus," 23 Aug. 2017
In November, Made in Space plans to start in-space production of optical fiber — the building block of the telecommunications industry.

— marisa kendall, The Seattle Times, "The next manufacturing boom could come from space," 21 Aug. 2017
Today in (/r/interestingasfuck) news, there is a viral optical illusion.

— tess koman, Cosmopolitan, "Bet You Can't Find the Circles in This Optical Illusion in Under 10 Seconds!!!," 9 Aug. 2017
Untreated, severe dry eye disease can result in scarring, ulceration, infection and even perforation of the cornea, the clear outer layer of the eye that protects the iris, pupil and anterior chamber and accounts for much of the eye’s optical power.

— jane e. brody, idahostatesman, "Take steps to minimize irritation from dry eyes," 4 Aug. 2017
Do not look at the uneclipsed or partially eclipsed sun through an unfiltered camera, telescope, binoculars, or other optical device.

— leada gore, AL.com, "Solar eclipse 2017: How to make sure your eclipse glasses are safe," 3 Aug. 2017
Astronomers could try to come up with a theoretical model that could replicate the mysterious radio signals, or attempt to observe Ross 128 with optical telescopes.

— marina koren, The Atlantic, "The Strange Radio Signals Coming From a Nearby Star," 17 July 2017
See the optical-illusion ink below: Photo Courtesy of Instagram/@blvckwork.

— kaleigh fasanella, Teen Vogue, "Bang Bang Tattoo Artist Kevin King Creates Eyelash Tattoos," 12 July 2017

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

First Known Use of optical

1570

optical Synonyms

Synonyms

ocular, optic, visual

Antonyms

nonvisual

Related Words

seeing, sighted; focusing (also focussing)

OPTICAL Defined for English Language Learners

optical

play

adjective

Definition of optical for English Language Learners

: used to help a person see
: relating to or using light
: involving the use of devices that get information for a computer by identifying patterns of light