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
Hofeller joined SpaceX in 2007 after working as a senior mechanical engineer at Raytheon on optical satellite programs.
—
Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 20 June 2026
Unlike many studies where materials are assembled once and left unchanged, the team repeatedly picked up, twisted, and restacked the layers while continuing to modify the optical properties.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 19 June 2026
After exposing the bones to a high-energy blue light, the team used an optical filter to see which of them glowed red.
—Sahas Mehra, Scientific American, 19 June 2026
The activation comes as part of Stewart's new partnership with Sunglass Hut, the optical and eyewear retailer, which began in May 2026.
—Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for optical
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Lily Mae Lazarus, Fortune, 20 June 2026
Unlike many studies where materials are assembled once and left unchanged, the team repeatedly picked up, twisted, and restacked the layers while continuing to modify the optical properties.
—Neetika Walter, Interesting Engineering, 19 June 2026
After exposing the bones to a high-energy blue light, the team used an optical filter to see which of them glowed red.
—Sahas Mehra, Scientific American, 19 June 2026
The activation comes as part of Stewart's new partnership with Sunglass Hut, the optical and eyewear retailer, which began in May 2026.
—Tiana Randall, Forbes.com, 19 June 2026
See All Example Sentences for optical
Cite this Entry
“Optical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/optical. Accessed 21 Jun. 2026.
Copy CitationKids 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
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