fiber optics

plural noun

1

: thin transparent fibers of glass or plastic that are enclosed by material of a lower refractive index and that transmit light throughout their length by internal reflections

also : a bundle of such fibers used in an instrument (as for viewing body cavities)

2

singular in construction : the technique of the use of fiber optics

Examples of fiber optics in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Beyond being compact, the QRF receiver sensor head can be remotely operated, with fiber optics linking it to the rest of the system. —Paul Lipman, Forbes.com, 4 Apr. 2025

Roughly 9,000 new strands of fiber optics were installed to allow for high-speed data transfer for cameras, the scoreboard and instant replay system, while 35,000 feet of fiber cables were installed throughout the ballpark for connectivity and critical operations. —Chris Biderman, Sacramento Bee, 24 Mar. 2025

That is part of the charm of playing at the speed of fiber optics. —Troy Renck, The Denver Post, 13 Mar. 2025

For example, the United States is largely dependent on China for rare earths used in fiber optics, lasers, batteries, nuclear control rods, medical imaging, metallurgy, permanent magnets, catalysts, electronics, aerospace alloys, solid state devices, and data storage devices. —Deborah Wince-Smith, Forbes, 21 Feb. 2025

Word History

First Known Use

1956, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

fiber optics

noun

1

plural : thin transparent enclosed fibers of glass or plastic that carry light by internal reflections

also : a bundle of such fibers used in an instrument

2

: the technique of the use of fiber optics

Medical Definition

fiber optics

noun plural

variants or chiefly British fibre optics

1

: thin transparent fibers of glass or plastic that are enclosed by material of a lower index of refraction and that transmit light throughout their length by internal reflections

also : a bundle of such fibers used in an instrument (as an endoscope)

2

singular in construction : the technique of the use of fiber optics

fiber-optic adjective

or chiefly British fibre-optic

ˈfī-bə-ˌräp-tik