virtual reality

noun

|Updated on: 3 Aug 2018

Definition of virtual reality

: an artificial environment which is experienced through sensory stimuli (such as sights and sounds) provided by a computer and in which one's actions partially determine what happens in the environment; also : the technology used to create or access a virtual reality

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See virtual reality defined for kids

Recent Examples of virtual reality from the Web

Roblox offers a virtual reality world that allows players — think mostly kids around the age of 11 — to do exciting things like eat pizza or avoid dodgeballs in a gymnasium.

— theodore schleifer, Recode, "Roblox, the hit gaming company you may not have heard of, could be worth $2.5 billion," 21 June 2018
Despite the growing excitement, a number of challenges and barriers remain for virtual reality as a pain management tool.

— meeri kim, courant.com, "Virtual Reality Helps Patients Ease Stress And Pain," 12 June 2018
Despite the growing excitement, a number of challenges and barriers remain for virtual reality as a pain management tool.

— meeri kim, Washington Post, "Virtual reality is being used by hospitals to help people cope with pain," 9 June 2018
Belch, who was a placekicker for Stanford from 2003-07, began to see applications for virtual reality as an undergrad.

— vince ellis, Detroit Free Press, "Detroit Pistons' VR exploration a game-changer for prospects," 9 June 2018
The Void, which opened in Downtown Disney in 2018, has two features that put a unique twist on virtual reality.

— scott craven, azcentral, "The Void at Disneyland: Star Wars VR lets you be a laser-shooting Rebel spy," 22 May 2018
Microsoft imagines that by bringing SharePoint into the virtual reality world, businesses will use it for onboarding new employees, training courses, and product development.

— tom warren, The Verge, "Microsoft is bringing the SharePoint work environment to virtual reality headsets," 21 May 2018
Advancements in virtual reality that help shoppers visualize the layout of their living rooms will help push purchases online.

— beth kowitt, Fortune, "How Amazon Is Using Whole Foods in a Bid for Total Retail Domination," 21 May 2018
The quarterbacks sat through a virtual reality simulation of a 2008 battle in Afghanistan that serves as an educational tool.

— blair kerkhoff and pete grathoff, kansascity, "'I like being in Kansas City.' Patrick Mahomes is the Chiefs' man about town | The Kansas City Star," 16 May 2018

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

First Known Use of virtual reality

1987

in the meaning defined above

See Words from the same year

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VIRTUAL REALITY Defined for English Language Learners

virtual reality

noun

Definition of virtual reality for English Language Learners

: an artificial world of images and sounds created by a computer that is affected by the actions of a person who is experiencing it

VIRTUAL REALITY Defined for Kids

virtual reality

noun

Definition of virtual reality for Students

: an artificial environment which is experienced through sights and sounds provided by a computer and in which a person's actions partly decide what happens in the environment