aperture
noun
ap·er·ture
ˈa-pər-ˌchu̇r 
ˈa-pə-,
-chər,
-ˌtyu̇r,
-ˌtu̇r
1
: an opening or open space : hole
entered the cave through a narrow aperture
2
a
: the opening in a photographic lens that admits the light
b
: the diameter of the stop in an optical system that determines the diameter of the bundle of rays traversing the instrument
c
: the diameter of the objective lens or mirror of a telescope
Examples of aperture in a Sentence
We entered the cave through a narrow aperture.
The photograph was taken using a fast shutter speed and a large aperture.
Recent Examples on the Web
Personal style also took center stage in design; take Ryan Coogler’s Cartier Tank à Guichets with its ticket-window aperture, an archival revival that was one of the biggest debuts of the past year.
—
Shannon Adducci, Robb Report, 16 Mar. 2026
This is typical of lenses that deliver impeccable resolution at a wide open aperture.
—Jim Fisher, PC Magazine, 16 Mar. 2026
Your tongue might fall back into your throat, or the throat itself might relax too much, narrowing the aperture for air to get in and causing any number of the surrounding structures to vibrate.
—Gilad Edelman, The Atlantic, 15 Mar. 2026
The vast majority of these galaxies are too dim to spot with the naked eye, though a telescope with an aperture of at least 6 inches can reveal some of their ancient light, especially when viewed from a dark-sky location.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for aperture
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Shannon Adducci, Robb Report, 16 Mar. 2026
This is typical of lenses that deliver impeccable resolution at a wide open aperture.
—Jim Fisher, PC Magazine, 16 Mar. 2026
Your tongue might fall back into your throat, or the throat itself might relax too much, narrowing the aperture for air to get in and causing any number of the surrounding structures to vibrate.
—Gilad Edelman, The Atlantic, 15 Mar. 2026
The vast majority of these galaxies are too dim to spot with the naked eye, though a telescope with an aperture of at least 6 inches can reveal some of their ancient light, especially when viewed from a dark-sky location.
—Anthony Wood, Space.com, 14 Mar. 2026
See All Example Sentences for aperture
Cite this Entry
“Aperture.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aperture. Accessed 19 Mar. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
aperture
noun
ap·er·ture
ˈap-ə(r)-ˌchu̇(ə)r
-chər
1
: an opening or open space : hole
2
a
: the opening in a camera lens that allows light through
b
: the diameter of the opening in a camera lens
Medical Definition
aperture
noun
ap·er·ture
ˈap-ə(r)-ˌchu̇(ə)r, -chər, -ˌt(y)u̇(ə)r
1
: an opening or open space
2
: the diameter of the stop in an optical system that determines the diameter of the bundle of rays traversing the instrument
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