microscope

noun

mi·​cro·​scope ˈmī-krə-ˌskōp 

1

: an optical instrument consisting of a lens or combination of lenses for making enlarged images of minute objects

especially : compound microscope

2

: a non-optical instrument (such as one using radiations other than light or using vibrations) for making enlarged images of minute objects

an acoustic microscope

Examples of microscope in a Sentence

Students viewed the crystals through a microscope.

Recent Examples on the Web

That’s good news Warner Bros. co-movie chiefs Mike DeLuca and Pam Abby, who have come under the microscope after the studio suffered a series of misses at the box office. —Pamela McClintock, The Hollywood Reporter, 13 Mar. 2025

The draft, shared first with Axios, adds to the calls to again put the drug supply intermediaries under the microscope, after PBM provisions were dropped from a year-end deal. —Victoria Knight, Axios, 12 Mar. 2025

Biomedical research today is no longer carried out with a microscope at a lab bench. —Claudia Weicker, Hartford Courant, 21 Feb. 2025

The practical effect of the cap is to rob universities and research institutes of money crucial to everything from keeping laboratory lights on to maintaining sophisticated microscopes to patient safety. —Orlando Sentinel and South Florida Sun Sentinel Editorial Boards, Orlando Sentinel, 20 Feb. 2025

Word History

Etymology

New Latin microscopium, from micr- + -scopium -scope

First Known Use

1648, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Phrases Containing microscope

• atomic force microscope
• compound microscope
• dark-field microscope
• dissecting microscope
• electron microscope
• phase-contrast microscope
• put under the microscope
• scanning electron microscope
• scanning tunneling microscope
• under a/the microscope

Rhymes for microscope

• antelope
• bronchoscope
• cantaloupe
• cystoscope
• endoscope
• envelope
• epitope
• gyroscope
• horoscope
• isotope
• misanthrope
• pericope

Kids Definition

microscope

noun

mi·​cro·​scope ˈmī-krə-ˌskōp 

1

: an optical instrument consisting of a lens or a combination of lenses for making enlarged or magnified images of minute objects

2

: an instrument using radiation other than light for making enlarged images of very small objects

Medical Definition

microscope

noun

mi·​cro·​scope ˈmī-krə-ˌskōp 

1

: an optical instrument consisting of a lens or combination of lenses for making enlarged images of minute objects

especially : compound microscope see light microscope, phase-contrast microscope, polarizing microscope, reflecting microscope, ultraviolet microscope

2

: an instrument using radiations other than light or using vibrations for making enlarged images of minute objects

an acoustic microscope

see electron microscope, scanning electron microscope, x-ray microscope