telescope

1 of 2

noun

tele·​scope ˈte-lə-ˌskōp How to pronounce telescope (audio)
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

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

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 observations from the James Webb telescope also suggest HH 211 actually might differ from our sun in a key way. Michael Kan, PCMAG, 14 Sep. 2023 The new find – located at the center of a galaxy some 500 million light-years away – is early fruit for a new transient detection system that feeds off data produced by the Swift Observatory X-ray telescope. Matt Hrodey, Discover Magazine, 12 Sep. 2023 The rocket is carrying two space missions: a new X-ray telescope to help scientists better understand the origins of the universe and a lightweight high-precision moon lander that will serve as the basis for future moon landing technology. Julia Mio Inuma, Washington Post, 7 Sep. 2023 Read full article The rocket is carrying two space missions: a new X-ray telescope and a lightweight high-precision moon lander that will serve as the basis for future moon landing technology. Julia Mio Inuma, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Sep. 2023 Astronomers have been conducting the Search for Extraterrestrial Intelligence (SETI) since 1960, using telescopes to watch for signals from space. Seth Fletcher, New York Times, 24 Aug. 2023 The series of curves resembles the interlocking tubes of an actual collapsible telescope. Kevin Hartnett, Quanta Magazine, 22 Aug. 2023 The telescope separated at 8:56 a.m., and the moon lander separated at 9:29 a.m. The reputation of Japan’s space program was on the line with the launch Thursday. Julia Mio Inuma, Washington Post, 7 Sep. 2023 Set to launch no earlier than June 2028, the telescope is designed to discover 90% of asteroids and comets that are 460 feet in size or larger and come within 30 million miles of Earth’s orbit. Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 7 Sep. 2023
Verb
According to Think Defence, this appears to be a Chess Dynamics Hawkeye surveillance system mounted on a Viper telescoping mast. Sébastien Roblin, Popular Mechanics, 3 Sep. 2023 The extra-long stretch hose and wands provide incredible reach and telescope back into the body of the vacuum for neat storage. Carolyn Forté, Good Housekeeping, 28 Aug. 2023 Note the optical sight and radar next to the telescoping two-shot launcher. Sébastien Roblin, Popular Mechanics, 18 Aug. 2023 The telescoping aluminum handle and ball-bearing wheels really take the usability of this suitcase to the next level. Maya Kachroo-Levine, Travel + Leisure, 4 Apr. 2023 And not just on the surface: The structure consists of telescoping hexagonal shafts, slightly offset, so that every line is jagged, every facet broken down. Justin Davidson, Curbed, 3 Aug. 2023 Use a small handheld mirror or a telescoping inspection mirror to check the jet holes under the toilet rim. Roy Berendsohn, Popular Mechanics, 25 July 2023 These wouldn’t be traditional canvas managed by ropes but could wind up as giant kites, spinning rotors or telescoping hard sails — like a folding airplane wing — that harness wind power to propel the vessel. William Booth, Washington Post, 7 July 2023 The mercenary warlord telescoped into a two-day tragicomic plot many of the baleful forces in Russian history and thought that Mr. Morson’s cherished authors dissected, dramatized—and often mocked. Boyd Tonkin, WSJ, 7 July 2023 See More

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.

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

Time Traveler
The first known use of telescope was in 1650

Dictionary Entries Near telescope

Cite this Entry

“Telescope.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/telescope. Accessed 21 Sep. 2023.

Kids Definition

telescope

1 of 2 noun
tele·​scope ˈtel-ə-ˌskōp How to pronounce telescope (audio)
: 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

More from Merriam-Webster on telescope

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