parallax

noun

par·​al·​lax ˈper-ə-ˌlaks 

ˈpa-rə-

: the apparent displacement or the difference in apparent direction of an object as seen from two different points not on a straight line with the object

especially : the angular difference in direction of a celestial body as measured from two points on the earth's orbit

Examples of parallax in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Built on Leia’s proprietary Neural Depth Engine, the app analyzes still images and applies natural depth and simulated motion—pans, zooms, and parallax effects—resulting in short video reels that feel like the user has stepped into the scene. —Charlie Fink, Forbes.com, 8 July 2025

Paired with a phenomenon called parallax—the apparent shift of an object’s position when viewed from two vantage points—astronomers can use Gaia for determining distances, too. —Lee Billings, Scientific American, 18 June 2025

Adjustments Two of the main adjustable features of a red dot sight are brightness and parallax. —Bestreviews, Chicago Tribune, 14 May 2025

Planet Nine would appear to move on the sky because of parallax as Earth moves around the sun. —Keith Cooper, Space.com, 1 May 2025

Word History

Etymology

Middle French parallaxe, from Greek parallaxis, from parallassein to change, from para- + allassein to change, from allos other

First Known Use

1580, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for parallax

• almanacs
• carrybacks
• haversacks
• lumberjacks
• maniacs
• microcracks
• minimax
• paperbacks
• quarterbacks
• sticklebacks
• telefax
• anticlimax

Kids Definition

parallax

noun

par·​al·​lax ˈpar-ə-ˌlaks 

: the apparent shift in position of an object as seen from two different points not on a straight line with the object

Medical Definition

parallax

noun

par·​al·​lax ˈpar-ə-ˌlaks 

: the apparent displacement or the difference in apparent direction of an object as seen from two different points not on a straight line with the object

motion parallax governs the way objects appear to move when the eyes or head are shifted

—Edmund Andrews