binocular

1 of 2

adjective

bin·​oc·​u·​lar bī-ˈnä-kyə-lər  bə- 

: of, relating to, using, or adapted to the use of both eyes

binocularity

(ˌ)bī-ˌnä-kyə-ˈler-ə-tē 

-ˈla-rə-

bə-

noun

binocularly

bī-ˈnä-kyə-lər-lē 

bə-

adverb

binocular

2 of 2

noun

bin·​oc·​u·​lar bə-ˈnä-kyə-lər  bī- 

1

: a binocular optical instrument

2

: a handheld optical instrument composed of two telescopes and a focusing device and usually having prisms to increase magnifying ability

—usually used in plural

Examples of binocular in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Adjective

The course will increase knowledge of North American bird species; bird habitat and anatomy; provide binocular basics; tips on using field guides and checklists; and ethics of birding. —Joe Rassel, Orlando Sentinel, 26 Dec. 2024

Few of them, however, become visible to the naked eye — or even become a binocular object. —Jamie Carter, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024

Noun

Whether looking unaided or using binoculars, look slightly to the side of it to appreciate its brightness with your more sensitive peripheral vision. —Jamie Carter, Forbes, 23 Dec. 2024

Near the huge sewage plant that treats San Jose’s wastewater at the southeast tip of the San Francisco Bay, wildlife biologist Phillip Higgins peers through binoculars. —Mark Degraff, The Mercury News, 14 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1679, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1861, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

binocular

1 of 2 adjective

bin·​oc·​u·​lar bī-ˈnäk-yə-lər 

bə-

: of, relating to, using, or adapted to the use of both eyes

binocular vision

binocular

2 of 2 noun

bin·​oc·​u·​lar bə-ˈnäk-yə-lər 

bī-

1

: a binocular optical instrument

2

: a handheld instrument for seeing at a distance that consists of two telescopes, a focusing device, and usually prisms

—usually used in plural

a pair of binoculars

Medical Definition

binocular

1 of 2 adjective

bin·​oc·​u·​lar bī-ˈnäk-yə-lər, bə- 

: of, relating to, using, or adapted to the use of both eyes

binocular vision

a binocular microscope

binocularly

bī-ˈnäk-yə-lər-lē, bə- 

adverb

binocular

2 of 2 noun

bin·​oc·​u·​lar bə-ˈnäk-yə-lər, bī- 

: a binocular optical instrument