binocular

1 of 2

adjective

bin·​oc·​u·​lar bī-ˈnä-kyə-lər How to pronounce binocular (audio)
bə-
: of, relating to, using, or adapted to the use of both eyes
binocularity noun
binocularly adverb

binocular

2 of 2

noun

bin·​oc·​u·​lar bə-ˈnä-kyə-lər How to pronounce binocular (audio)
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
Additionally, do not look at the sun through a camera lens, telescope or binocular while wearing eclipse glasses and viewers, the agency said. Hanh Truong, Sacramento Bee, 5 Apr. 2024 That's because there is a higher concentration of retinal ganglion cells in the center of their field of vision, making vision sharper and giving such dogs binocular depth vision. Jennifer Ouellette, Ars Technica, 21 Dec. 2023 Experimental psychologists can take advantage of that quirk through the phenomenon of binocular rivalry. Elizabeth Finkel, Quanta Magazine, 24 Aug. 2023 Observers with an unobstructed view to the east-northeastern horizon might get good binocular views of Comet C/2023 P1 (Nishimura) about 45 minutes before sunrise. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 1 Oct. 2020 The second number in a binocular size is the aperture, or the diameter. Kevin Cortez, Popular Mechanics, 5 June 2023 This is an ideal pair of binoculars particularly on safari, though it can be used in most binocular-viewing scenarios. Stefanie Waldek, Travel + Leisure, 28 June 2023 Eye Relief: The distance between your eyes and the binocular eyepiece lenses. Kevin Cortez, Popular Mechanics, 5 June 2023 Small clutch bags, camera and binocular cases not exceeding 4.5 by 6.5 inches, with or without a handle or strap. Brendel Hightower, Detroit Free Press, 5 June 2023
Noun
Meanwhile, our nine-year-old son looks through binoculars, his attention soon drawn to the trails of dung across the dirt. Tanvi Chheda, Travel + Leisure, 13 Apr. 2024 On this day, the sun was almost directly overhead when Mr. Fink peered out through his binoculars and saw a couple being dropped off by an unmarked vehicle on a dirt road in Mexico and trekking through the arid brush toward the United States. Emily Baumgaertner, New York Times, 11 Apr. 2024 On Saturday, April 6, investigators entered Mercurio’s home and recovered handcuffs, weapons, two canisters of butane fuel, binoculars, an ISIS flag and more, per the complaint. Emily Palmer, Peoplemag, 9 Apr. 2024 Viewing the eclipse without the right protection can be dangerous for your vision, even through a camera lens, binoculars, or a telescope. Chyna Blackmon, Charlotte Observer, 4 Apr. 2024 The same rule applies for looking at the eclipse through a camera lens, binoculars, telescope or regular sunglasses. Karen Garcia, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024 Do not use cameras, telescopes or binoculars without proper solar filters: Just like your eyes, cameras, telescopes and binoculars need special filters to safely photograph or observe the sun during an eclipse. The Arizona Republic, 3 Apr. 2024 And the glasses are not sufficient for people who want to use tools like binoculars or cameras. Jesse Kirsch, NBC News, 28 Mar. 2024 Sunglasses, binoculars or telescopes without special filters don’t provide adequate protection. Paul Rogers, The Mercury News, 1 Apr. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'binocular.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1679, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1861, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of binocular was in 1679

Dictionary Entries Near binocular

Cite this Entry

“Binocular.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/binocular. Accessed 23 Apr. 2024.

Kids Definition

binocular

1 of 2 adjective
bin·​oc·​u·​lar bī-ˈnäk-yə-lər How to pronounce binocular (audio)
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 How to pronounce binocular (audio)
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- How to pronounce binocular (audio)
: of, relating to, using, or adapted to the use of both eyes
binocular vision
a binocular microscope
binocularly adverb

binocular

2 of 2 noun
bin·​oc·​u·​lar bə-ˈnäk-yə-lər, bī- How to pronounce binocular (audio)
: a binocular optical instrument

More from Merriam-Webster on binocular

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