tele·scope
ˈte-lə-ˌskōp 
often attributive
1
2
: any of various tubular magnifying optical instruments
3
telescoped; telescoping
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
Synonyms
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
Paul Richardson, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Apr. 2024
In the lead-up to the eclipse, children and families looked through telescopes and spoke with solar researchers at the activity center.
—Arelis R. Hernández, Washington Post, 8 Apr. 2024
These same practices should be applied when looking at the eclipse through a telescope, binoculars or any other optical or magnifying device, NASA advised.
—The Arizona Republic, 8 Apr. 2024
Don’t try viewing the eclipse with alternatives, like sunglasses, binoculars or telescopes without special filters, as inadequate protection can damage your retinas and potentially cause blindness.
—Nollyanne Delacruz, The Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2024
Having telescopes, solar filters, and interactive activities on hand might also help children get the most out of it.
—Vanessa Romo, NPR, 6 Apr. 2024
Now a new generation of cosmologists wielding a new generation of telescopes may be picking up the first whispers of a richer story.
—Charlie Wood, Quanta Magazine, 4 Apr. 2024
Putting a cellphone camera against an unfiltered telescope or binoculars aimed at the sun could damage the phone camera and harm the eyes, as the magnifying power of the devices intensifies the sun’s powerful rays.
—Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2024
Do not use cameras, telescopes or binoculars without proper solar filters: Just like your eyes, cameras, telescopes and binoculars need special filters to safely photograph or observe the sun during an eclipse.
—The Arizona Republic, 3 Apr. 2024
Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Apr. 2024
This vacuum also offers several additional high-end features, including a telescoping wand for height adjustment, an oversized 1.5-liter dust bin, and bright LED headlights.
—Theresa Holland, Peoplemag, 23 Jan. 2024
Other perks include its carry-on size, waterproof design, telescoping handle, and trolley strap to attach to your other luggage pieces — and, of course, its various pockets.
—Rachel Simon, Travel + Leisure, 3 Dec. 2023
This telescoping high-rise sprinkler by Orbit adjusts from a height of 23 to 35 inches to reach heights that other ground-lying sprinklers may not be able to.
—Kat De Naoum, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Mar. 2024
The inner, telescoping portion that houses the lens elements and the tripod collar are metal, but the exterior housing is sturdy-but-light polycarbonate.
—PCMAG, 22 Mar. 2024
Use the oversized wheels and telescoping handle to navigate effortlessly through the airport; and the Airspeed Harness with its breathable mesh back panel, adjustable padded shoulder straps, and weight-distributing hipbelt to carry the bag whenever the going gets tough.
—Jessica MacDonald, Travel + Leisure, 27 Nov. 2023
Nowadays a lot of people use tenkara telescoping fly rods.
—Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 28 Feb. 2024
Some are single-stage and others are two-stage, telescoping cylinders.
—Jeanne Huber, Washington Post, 26 Jan. 2024
Noun
Wolves and bears still roam the silent valleys of the Principality’s unsullied interior, and a new kind of wildlife tourism has sprung up to cater for visitors keen to peer at them through telescopes.
—Paul Richardson, Condé Nast Traveler, 9 Apr. 2024
In the lead-up to the eclipse, children and families looked through telescopes and spoke with solar researchers at the activity center.
—Arelis R. Hernández, Washington Post, 8 Apr. 2024
These same practices should be applied when looking at the eclipse through a telescope, binoculars or any other optical or magnifying device, NASA advised.
—The Arizona Republic, 8 Apr. 2024
Don’t try viewing the eclipse with alternatives, like sunglasses, binoculars or telescopes without special filters, as inadequate protection can damage your retinas and potentially cause blindness.
—Nollyanne Delacruz, The Mercury News, 8 Apr. 2024
Having telescopes, solar filters, and interactive activities on hand might also help children get the most out of it.
—Vanessa Romo, NPR, 6 Apr. 2024
Now a new generation of cosmologists wielding a new generation of telescopes may be picking up the first whispers of a richer story.
—Charlie Wood, Quanta Magazine, 4 Apr. 2024
Putting a cellphone camera against an unfiltered telescope or binoculars aimed at the sun could damage the phone camera and harm the eyes, as the magnifying power of the devices intensifies the sun’s powerful rays.
—Rong-Gong Lin Ii, Los Angeles Times, 3 Apr. 2024
Do not use cameras, telescopes or binoculars without proper solar filters: Just like your eyes, cameras, telescopes and binoculars need special filters to safely photograph or observe the sun during an eclipse.
—The Arizona Republic, 3 Apr. 2024
Verb
From conversations with expert scientists to telescope footage, the agency will air an educational program that captures the celestial spectacle.
—Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 5 Apr. 2024
This vacuum also offers several additional high-end features, including a telescoping wand for height adjustment, an oversized 1.5-liter dust bin, and bright LED headlights.
—Theresa Holland, Peoplemag, 23 Jan. 2024
Other perks include its carry-on size, waterproof design, telescoping handle, and trolley strap to attach to your other luggage pieces — and, of course, its various pockets.
—Rachel Simon, Travel + Leisure, 3 Dec. 2023
This telescoping high-rise sprinkler by Orbit adjusts from a height of 23 to 35 inches to reach heights that other ground-lying sprinklers may not be able to.
—Kat De Naoum, Better Homes & Gardens, 11 Mar. 2024
The inner, telescoping portion that houses the lens elements and the tripod collar are metal, but the exterior housing is sturdy-but-light polycarbonate.
—PCMAG, 22 Mar. 2024
Use the oversized wheels and telescoping handle to navigate effortlessly through the airport; and the Airspeed Harness with its breathable mesh back panel, adjustable padded shoulder straps, and weight-distributing hipbelt to carry the bag whenever the going gets tough.
—Jessica MacDonald, Travel + Leisure, 27 Nov. 2023
Nowadays a lot of people use tenkara telescoping fly rods.
—Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 28 Feb. 2024
Some are single-stage and others are two-stage, telescoping cylinders.
—Jeanne Huber, Washington Post, 26 Jan. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'telescope.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Telescope.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/telescope. Accessed 19 Apr. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
telescope
1 of 2 noun
tele·scope
ˈtel-ə-ˌskōp
: a tubular instrument for viewing distant objects (as objects in outer space) by focusing light rays with mirrors or lenses
telescope
2 of 2 verb
telescoped; telescoping
1
: to slide or cause to slide one within another like the cylindrical sections of a hand telescope
2
: to run together like the sections of a telescope
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