magnification

noun

mag·​ni·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌmag-nə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

1

: the act of magnifying

2

a

: the state of being magnified

b

: the apparent enlargement of an object by an optical instrument

called also power

Synonyms

• caricature
• coloring
• elaboration
• embellishment
• embroidering
• embroidery
• exaggeration
• hyperbole
• overstatement
• padding
• stretching

Examples of magnification in a Sentence

We used a microscope to examine the cells under magnification.

At higher magnifications the differences between the cells become clear.

Recent Examples on the Web

Key features: magnification: 8x, aperture: 42 mm, weight: 705g, fog & waterproof, rubber-armored polycarbonate housing, comes with carrying case, lens caps, rain guard, neck strap, and lens cloth. —Chris McMullen, Space.com, 22 Jan. 2025

The OnePlus 13 comes with a triple-lens rear camera system: a fifty-megapixel main camera lens, a fifty-megapixel ultrawide lens and a fifty-megapixel telephoto lens that offers x3 magnification through a periscope lens. —Ewan Spence, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025

Or try these affordable compact binoculars, on sale for $24.95 on Amazon, that boast 10 magnifications. —Fox News, 2 Jan. 2025

The purpose of binoculars is often simplified into image magnification. —Wes Siler, Outside Online, 13 Dec. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

magnification

noun

mag·​ni·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌmag-nə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

1

: the act of magnifying

2

a

: the state of being magnified

b

: the apparent enlargement of an object by an optical instrument

called also power

Medical Definition

magnification

noun

mag·​ni·​fi·​ca·​tion ˌmag-nə-fə-ˈkā-shən 

1

: the act of magnifying

2

a

: the state of being magnified

b

: the apparent enlargement of an object by an optical instrument that is the ratio of the dimensions of an image formed by the instrument to the corresponding dimensions of the object

called also power