telescope

1 of 2

noun

tele·​scope ˈte-lə-ˌskōp 

often attributive

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

2 of 2

verb

telescoped; telescoping

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

Verb

• capsule
• capsulize
• collapse
• compact
• compress
• condense
• constrict
• constringe
• contract
• narrow (down)
• squeeze

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

The Webb telescope found carbon-bearing molecules, including methane and carbon dioxide, in September 2023. —George Petras, USA Today, 19 Apr. 2025

Astronomer Gianluca Masi also observed the comet twice using a telescope in Manciano, Italy. —Ashley Strickland, CNN Money, 18 Apr. 2025

Verb

Each barge also has a tower at the front, which can telescope out a bridge, connecting it to the next barge or to the shore. —Chris Buckley, New York Times, 2 Apr. 2025

Finally, when the leg is telescoped in and the wings are folded down, the whole shebang can be carried in a zippered pocket on the underside of the seat. —Ben Coxworth, New Atlas, 20 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

New Latin telescopium, from Greek tēleskopos farseeing, from tēle- tele- + skopos watcher; akin to Greek skopein to look — more at spy

First Known Use

Noun

1650, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1866, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Phrases Containing telescope

• Cassegrainian telescope
• Cassegrain telescope
• radio telescope
• reflecting telescope
• refracting telescope

Rhymes for telescope

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

Kids 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