1
: a polyhedron with two polygonal faces lying in parallel planes and with the other faces parallelograms
2
a
: a transparent body that is bounded in part by two nonparallel plane faces and is used to refract or disperse a beam of light
b
: a prism-shaped decorative glass luster
3
: a crystal form whose faces are parallel to one axis
especially
: one whose faces are parallel to the vertical axis
4
: a medium that distorts, slants, or colors whatever is viewed through it
Examples of prism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Well, viewed through the prism of VC funding, a typical fast-growth company is probably developing AI solutions or working in quantum computing, climate tech or life sciences.
—
Trevor Clawson, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
Viewed through that prism, the Iranian government currently lives in the land of bad options.
—Uri Friedman, The Atlantic, 23 June 2025
River Plate One of the benefits of the Club World Cup will be getting to watch a player that many of us are probably mostly familiar with through the prism of transfer gossip columns.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 11 June 2025
Porro prism binoculars, such as the Nikon 10x50 Aculon, are generally wider than their roof prism counterparts.
—Matt Morris, Space.com, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for prism
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Trevor Clawson, Forbes.com, 29 June 2025
Viewed through that prism, the Iranian government currently lives in the land of bad options.
—Uri Friedman, The Atlantic, 23 June 2025
River Plate One of the benefits of the Club World Cup will be getting to watch a player that many of us are probably mostly familiar with through the prism of transfer gossip columns.
—Tim Spiers, New York Times, 11 June 2025
Porro prism binoculars, such as the Nikon 10x50 Aculon, are generally wider than their roof prism counterparts.
—Matt Morris, Space.com, 6 June 2025
See All Example Sentences for prism
Cite this Entry
“Prism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prism. Accessed 5 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
prism
noun1
: a polyhedron with two opposite ends that are parallel polygons and faces that are each parallelograms
2
: a transparent object that usually has three sides and bends light so that it breaks up into rainbow colors
Medical Definition
prism
noun1
: a polyhedron with two polygonal faces lying in parallel planes and with the other faces parallelograms
2
: a transparent body that is bounded in part by two nonparallel plane faces and is used to refract or disperse a beam of light
3
: a crystal form whose faces are parallel to one axis
especially
: one whose faces are parallel to the vertical axis
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