retinal

1 of 2

adjective

ret·​i·​nal ˈre-tə-nəl 

ˈret-nəl

: of, relating to, involving, or being a retina

retinal

2 of 2

noun

ret·​i·​nal ˈre-tə-ˌnal  -ˌnȯl 

: a yellowish to orange aldehyde C₂₀H₂₈O derived from vitamin A that in combination with proteins forms the visual pigments of the retinal rods and cones

Examples of retinal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

Practitioners skip sunglasses and aim for direct sky exposure, not necessarily direct sun on skin, so their retinal photoreceptors can register the light. — Hanna Wickes, Charlotte Observer, 25 July 2026

Skip sunglasses and avoid viewing light through windows when safe, aiming for direct sky exposure to reach retinal photoreceptors. — Hanna Wickes, Sacbee.com, 25 July 2026

Noun

That said, Murden is sure to use it on nights when skin feels hydrated—sandwiching the retinal in between a nourishing toner and occlusive face cream for good measure. — Beatrice Zocchi, Vogue, 25 May 2026

A lot of Minority Report‘s speculations have come true—of course the Justice Department will supercharge profiling through an expensive and untested tech solution—but the detail that sticks with me most is the Gap store retinal-scanning Cruise and yelling past purchases back at him. — Literary Hub, Literary Hub, 13 Apr. 2026

Word History

Etymology

Noun

retin- + -al entry 3

First Known Use

Adjective

1798, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1944, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing retinal

• retinal detachment

Rhymes for retinal

• subretinal

Medical Definition

retinal

1 of 2 adjective

ret·​i·​nal ˈret-ᵊn-əl, ˈret-nəl 

: of, relating to, involving, or being a retina

a retinal examination

retinal rods

retinal

2 of 2 noun

ret·​i·​nal ˈret-ᵊn-ˌal  -ˌȯl 

: a yellowish to orange aldehyde C₂₀H₂₈O derived from vitamin A that in combination with proteins forms the visual pigments of the retinal rods and cones

called also retinene, retinene₁, vitamin A aldehyde