fiber optics

plural noun

1

: thin transparent fibers of glass or plastic that are enclosed by material of a lower refractive index and that transmit light throughout their length by internal reflections

also : a bundle of such fibers used in an instrument (as for viewing body cavities)

2

singular in construction : the technique of the use of fiber optics

Examples of fiber optics in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Corning is the leading producer of fiber optics, and has already been signing contracts with companies to connect data centers within certain distances. —Lisa Kailai Han, CNBC, 2 Sep. 2025

Another Russian development, unveiled on August 8th, uses fiber optics. —David Hambling, Forbes.com, 21 Aug. 2025

Infrastructure remedies such as runway repairs, system upgrades—including a new radar center in Philadelphia—and the introduction of fiber optics have been announced to lessen dependence on outdated technology. —Nick Mordowanec, MSNBC Newsweek, 30 May 2025

The eight-page proposal outlines a nationwide reform of the air traffic control system, calling for the replacement of outdated radio communication tools with modern systems, swapping copper cables for high-speed fiber optics, and transitioning flight data management to fully digital platforms. —Samantha-Jo Roth, The Washington Examiner, 14 May 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1956, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

fiber optics

noun

1

plural : thin transparent enclosed fibers of glass or plastic that carry light by internal reflections

also : a bundle of such fibers used in an instrument

2

: the technique of the use of fiber optics

Medical Definition

fiber optics

noun plural

variants or chiefly British fibre optics

1

: thin transparent fibers of glass or plastic that are enclosed by material of a lower index of refraction and that transmit light throughout their length by internal reflections

also : a bundle of such fibers used in an instrument (as an endoscope)

2

singular in construction : the technique of the use of fiber optics

fiber-optic adjective

or chiefly British fibre-optic

ˈfī-bə-ˌräp-tik