stereoscope

noun ste·reo·scope \ ˈster-ē-ə-ˌskōp , ˈstir- \

|Updated on: 11 Jul 2018

Definition of stereoscope

: an optical instrument with two eyepieces for helping the observer to combine the images of two pictures taken from points of view a little way apart and thus to get the effect of solidity or depth

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Recent Examples of stereoscope from the Web

Devices like the View-Master—an update of the Victorian stereoscope—achieved fad status in those years, and the Stereo Realist camera put 3-D photography into the hands of eager amateurs.

— susan delson, WSJ, "In a Los Angeles Exhibition, 3-D in All Its Dimensions," 29 June 2018
Souvenirs proliferated—candlesticks and canes turned from sequoia wood, packets of sequoia seeds, hotel postcards and stereoscope images.

— zach st. george, Smithsonian, "How California’s Giant Sequoias Tell the Story of Americans’ Conflicted Relationship With Nature," 20 Mar. 2018
The two images looked three-dimensional when viewed through a stereoscope.

— paula allen, San Antonio Express-News, "San Antonio photographer’s tourist souvenirs are now historical records," 9 Dec. 2017
Like viewers using an old-fashioned stereoscope, historians look at the past from two slightly different angles—then and now.

— richard white, Smithsonian, "When the Idea of Home Was Key to American Identity," 18 Sep. 2017
Once Brewster’s design hit the market, the stereoscope exploded in popularity.

— clive thompson, Smithsonian, "Stereographs Were the Original Virtual Reality," 30 Sep. 2017
The world in a stereoscope seemed transcendent, hyper-real.

— clive thompson, Smithsonian, "Stereographs Were the Original Virtual Reality," 30 Sep. 2017
THE STEREOPOD Combine two iPod photos (synced to the same image) and an antique stereoscope for a 3-D view.

— nicole lee and suzanne wu, WIRED, "iMods," 1 July 2005

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'stereoscope.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.

First Known Use of stereoscope

1838

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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STEREOSCOPE Defined for English Language Learners

stereoscope

noun

Definition of stereoscope for English Language Learners

: a device that is used for viewing stereoscopic images

Medical Dictionary

stereoscope

noun ste·reo·scope \ ˈster-ē-ə-ˌskōp , ˈstir- \

medical Definition of stereoscope

: an optical instrument with two eyepieces for helping the observer to combine the images of two pictures taken from points of view a little way apart and thus to get the effect of solidity or depth