telescope

noun, often attributive

tele·scope | \ ˈte-lə-ˌskōp

Definition of telescope

(Entry 1 of 2)

1 : a usually tubular optical instrument for viewing distant objects by means of the refraction of light rays through a lens or the reflection of light rays by a concave mirror — compare reflector, refractor

2 : any of various tubular magnifying optical instruments

3 : radio telescope

telescope

verb

telescoped; telescoping

Definition of telescope (Entry 2 of 2)

intransitive verb

1 : to become forced together lengthwise with one part entering another as the result of collision

2 : to slide or pass one within another like the cylindrical sections of a collapsible hand telescope

3 : to become compressed or condensed

transitive verb

1 : to cause to telescope

2 : compress, condense

Synonyms & Antonyms Example Sentences Learn More about telescope

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Examples of telescope in a Sentence

Noun The rings of Saturn can be seen through a telescope. Verb for dramatic purposes, the film telescopes the years over which the events occurred into a few short months

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun Birthing a new space telescope takes a long time and a lot of money and inspiration. — New York Times, "The Webb Telescope, NASA’s Golden Surfer, Is Almost Ready, Again," 2 Feb. 2021 The image came from the same series of test photographs, Christopher Crockett reports for Science News, and the telescope is expected to be completed in 2021. — Theresa Machemer, Smithsonian Magazine, "Brilliant Sunspot Photo Captures the Beginning of a New Solar Cycle," 17 Dec. 2020 The telescope was built in the 1960s with money from the Defense Department amid a push to develop anti-ballistic missile defenses. — Washington Post, "National Digest: Radio telescope first damaged in August collapses," 2 Dec. 2020 The telescope was built in the 1960s with money from the Defense Department amid a push to develop anti-ballistic missile defenses. — Dánica Coto, USA TODAY, "'A huge loss': Massive Puerto Rico radio telescope used for astronomical discoveries collapses," 2 Dec. 2020 The telescope was used to track asteroids, and in 1974, Russell Hulse and Joseph Taylor Jr. were awarded the Nobel Prize in physics after using it to conduct research. — Mike Brest, Washington Examiner, "Giant Puerto Rico radio telescope collapses," 1 Dec. 2020 The telescope was built in the 1960s with money from the Defense Department amid a push to develop anti-ballistic missile defenses. — DÁnica Coto, orlandosentinel.com, "Huge Puerto Rico radio telescope to close in blow to science," 19 Nov. 2020 By the time the sun rose the next day, the telescope was transformed. — Marina Koren, The Atlantic, "The End of an Era in Astronomy," 19 Nov. 2020 The Arecibo telescope has been widely used by astrophysicists as well as atmospheric and planetary scientists since the early 1960s. — Daniel Clery, Science | AAAS, "Famed Arecibo telescope, on the brink of collapse, will be dismantled," 19 Nov. 2020 Recent Examples on the Web: Verb The only telescope an amateur astronomer will ever need. — Cameron Johnson, Popular Mechanics, "How To Get Started in Astronomy," 10 Nov. 2020 The only telescope an amateur astronomer will ever need. — Cameron Johnson, Popular Mechanics, "How To Get Started in Astronomy," 10 Nov. 2020 Scientists are working on developing new tests that could pinpoint the signal’s origin, including continuing to aim the Parkes telescope at Proxima. — Nadia Drake, Science, "Alien hunters detect mysterious radio signal from nearby star," 18 Dec. 2020 The only telescope an amateur astronomer will ever need. — Cameron Johnson, Popular Mechanics, "How To Get Started in Astronomy," 10 Nov. 2020 The only telescope an amateur astronomer will ever need. — Cameron Johnson, Popular Mechanics, "How To Get Started in Astronomy," 10 Nov. 2020 The only telescope an amateur astronomer will ever need. — Cameron Johnson, Popular Mechanics, "How To Get Started in Astronomy," 10 Nov. 2020 The only telescope an amateur astronomer will ever need. — Cameron Johnson, Popular Mechanics, "How To Get Started in Astronomy," 10 Nov. 2020 The only telescope an amateur astronomer will ever need. — Cameron Johnson, Popular Mechanics, "How To Get Started in Astronomy," 10 Nov. 2020

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