optical
adjective
op·ti·cal
ˈäp-ti-kəl 
1
: of or relating to the science of optics
2
a
: of or relating to vision : visual
b
: visible sense 1
optical wavelength
c
: of, relating to, or being objects that emit light in the visible range of frequencies
an optical galaxy
d
: using the properties of light to aid vision
an optical instrument
3
a
: of, relating to, or utilizing light especially instead of other forms of energy
optical microscopy
b
: involving the use of light-sensitive devices to acquire information for a computer
optical character recognition
4
: of or relating to optical art
Examples of optical in a Sentence
The company manufactures microscopes, telescopes, and other optical instruments.
an optical illusion that fools most people
Recent Examples on the Web
The camera features optical image stabilization (OIS), Pantone color, and PDAF.
—
PC Magazine, 24 Apr. 2025
Stellar Star Sculptors Hubble’s first observation made in infrared, optical, and ultraviolet wavelengths shows a new look at a young star cluster NGC 346.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 23 Apr. 2025
Peeking out through the open roof is the white frame of the telescope's main structure that will support its optical equipment, including its primary mirror that measures 128 feet (39 meters) across — the largest ever made for an optical telescope.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 23 Apr. 2025
In addition, Dan Sasaki, Panavision’s vice president of optical engineering, made a bespoke 80mm Petzval lens with an aggressive field curvature, which increased de-focus toward the edges of the frame.
—Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 19 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for optical
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PC Magazine, 24 Apr. 2025
Stellar Star Sculptors Hubble’s first observation made in infrared, optical, and ultraviolet wavelengths shows a new look at a young star cluster NGC 346.
—Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 23 Apr. 2025
Peeking out through the open roof is the white frame of the telescope's main structure that will support its optical equipment, including its primary mirror that measures 128 feet (39 meters) across — the largest ever made for an optical telescope.
—Samantha Mathewson, Space.com, 23 Apr. 2025
In addition, Dan Sasaki, Panavision’s vice president of optical engineering, made a bespoke 80mm Petzval lens with an aggressive field curvature, which increased de-focus toward the edges of the frame.
—Bill Desowitz, IndieWire, 19 Apr. 2025
See All Example Sentences for optical
Cite this Entry
“Optical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/optical. Accessed 29 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
optical
adjective
op·ti·cal
ˈäp-ti-kəl
1
: relating to optics
2
: of or relating to vision
3
a
: of, relating to, or using light
an optical telescope
b
: involving the use of a device that senses light to acquire information for a computer
an optical scanner
Medical Definition
optical
adjective
op·ti·cal
ˈäp-ti-kəl
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