periscope

noun

peri·​scope ˈper-ə-ˌskōp 

: a tubular optical instrument containing lenses and mirrors by which an observer obtains an otherwise obstructed field of view

Illustration of periscope

Examples of periscope in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

The sensors allow crews to gather optical information from above the water without relying on a conventional periscope arrangement. — Sujita Sinha, Interesting Engineering, 23 Sep. 2026

The world was not watching, but the ostriches were, their heads bobbing above the pen like periscopes. — J. B. MacKinnon, Harpers Magazine, 22 Sep. 2026

That projector debuted a funky periscope-like ultra-short-throw lens that could be rotated to change image orientation without moving the body around. — New Atlas, 6 Aug. 2026

The Saint Francis of Assisi painted in 1636 by Francisco de Zurbarán is in this sense a kind of periscope on the divine. — Julian Bell, The New York Review of Books, 1 Aug. 2026

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1879, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for periscope

• antelope
• bronchoscope
• cantaloupe
• cystoscope
• endoscope
• envelope
• epitope
• gyroscope
• horoscope
• isotope
• microscope
• misanthrope

Kids Definition

periscope

noun

peri·​scope ˈper-ə-ˌskōp 

: an instrument containing lenses and mirrors by which an observer (as on a submerged submarine) can get a view that would otherwise be blocked

periscopic

ˌper-ə-ˈskäp-ik

adjective