tele·scope
ˈte-lə-ˌskōp 
often attributive
1
2
: any of various tubular magnifying optical instruments
3
telescoped; telescoping
1
: to become forced together lengthwise with one part entering another as the result of collision
2
: to slide or pass one within another like the cylindrical sections of a collapsible hand telescope
3
: to become compressed or condensed
Examples of telescope in a Sentence
Noun
The rings of Saturn can be seen through a telescope.
Verb
for dramatic purposes, the film telescopes the years over which the events occurred into a few short months
Recent Examples on the Web
Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2026
In November of 2024, a set of new eyes in space, the SVOM/GRM telescope, did something amazing.
—Paul Sutter, Space.com, 6 Feb. 2026
New Atlas, 16 Jan. 2026
Look for models with a telescoping handle that is long enough to reach the wall when fully extended, and that can be retracted to a shorter length for easy storage.
—Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for telescope
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Noun
With the Sloan Digital Sky Survey, York then marshaled forces to create one single telescope that could map hundreds of millions of objects in the sky — a central telescope systematically scanning the sky, and then releasing massive quantities of data publicly available to any scientist.
—Bob Goldsborough, Chicago Tribune, 7 Feb. 2026
In November of 2024, a set of new eyes in space, the SVOM/GRM telescope, did something amazing.
—Paul Sutter, Space.com, 6 Feb. 2026
Verb
While the latter example employs a telescoping frame to adjust for different-sized riders, Trike Bike has gone for a sliding rail mounted to the rear of the low-step alloy frame that's set at an angle.
—New Atlas, 16 Jan. 2026
Look for models with a telescoping handle that is long enough to reach the wall when fully extended, and that can be retracted to a shorter length for easy storage.
—Jolie Kerr, Better Homes & Gardens, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for telescope
Cite this Entry
“Telescope.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/telescope. Accessed 15 Feb. 2026.
Copy CitationKids Definition
telescope
1 of 2 noun
tele·scope
ˈtel-ə-ˌskōp
: a tubular instrument for viewing distant objects (as objects in outer space) by focusing light rays with mirrors or lenses
telescope
2 of 2 verb
telescoped; telescoping
1
: to slide or cause to slide one within another like the cylindrical sections of a hand telescope
2
: to run together like the sections of a telescope
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