optical

adjective

op·​ti·​cal ˈäp-ti-kəl How to pronounce optical (audio)
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
optically adverb

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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The research is not over With lasers, beam delivery, and optical control now working on chips, the researchers are close to replicating an entire optical table in miniature form. Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 27 Sep. 2025 Since then, cooling atoms and trapping them has become a cottage industry, giving rise to optical atomic clocks, atomic navigation systems, and neutral-atom quantum computers. IEEE Spectrum, 24 Sep. 2025 The motif was also integrated into new prints in combination with other Jardini signatures, such as strings of pearls or the fun motif of a hen, including a special version of the animal wearing black optical frames just like the designer’s own. Sandra Salibian, Footwear News, 23 Sep. 2025 There's a noticeable drop off in picture quality at the minimum f/16 aperture; optical diffraction softens the output, and the lens scores in the low register for the sensor, around 2,400 lines. PC Magazine, 23 Sep. 2025 See All Example Sentences for optical

Word History

First Known Use

1570, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of optical was in 1570

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Cite this Entry

“Optical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/optical. Accessed 30 Sep. 2025.

Kids Definition

optical

adjective
op·​ti·​cal ˈäp-ti-kəl How to pronounce optical (audio)
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
optically adverb

Medical Definition

optical

adjective
op·​ti·​cal ˈäp-ti-kəl How to pronounce optical (audio)
1
: of or relating to the science of optics
2
a
: of or relating to vision : visual
b
: using the properties of light to aid vision
an optical instrument
3
: of, relating to, or utilizing light
optical microscopy

More from Merriam-Webster on optical

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