multifocal

adjective

mul·​ti·​fo·​cal ˌməl-ti-ˈfō-kəl 

: having multiple foci: such as

a

of a disease : arising from or present in more than one location or localized area of the body

multifocal pneumonia with infiltrates throughout both lungs

… Kaposi's sarcoma is "multifocal" with a storm of lesions springing up simultaneously in several spots, in contrast to cancer's single-cell origin.

—Marilyn Chase

b

: having two or more parts that correct vision at different focal distances : having more than one focal length

multifocal eyeglasses

compare bifocal entry 1, trifocal entry 1

Examples of multifocal in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Sometimes there’s a limitation patients might not have appreciated, such as when an insurer will pay for cataract surgery but not some multifocal lenses. —Tribune News Service, Sun Sentinel, 11 Sep. 2024

Good job to her, and the multifocal sources of light in this dream! —Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 1 July 2024

These lenses can be designed for monovision (one eye seeing far, the other seeing near) or multifocal vision (both eyes seeing well at both distances). —Christine L. Larsen, Verywell Health, 8 May 2024

However, the modification means that one eye wears a multifocal lens to see well at all distances, while the other wears one that’s specific to close or distance vision correction. —Christine L. Larsen, Verywell Health, 8 May 2024

Most patients with these advanced technology multifocal lenses are happy with them. —Discover Magazine, 27 Mar. 2024

These lenses are designed to maintain their multifocal behavior even at smaller apertures, which means that people who wear them can enjoy better vision in all lighting conditions. —William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 26 Feb. 2024

The introduction of multifocal electroretinography has further broadened the horizons of this testing method. —William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2024

These measurements involve base curve, diameter, sphere, cylinder, axis and sometimes additional measurements for multifocal lenses. —Nicole F. Roberts, Forbes, 30 Nov. 2023

Word History

First Known Use

1892, in the meaning defined above

Medical Definition

multifocal

adjective

mul·​ti·​fo·​cal ˌməl-ti-ˈfō-kəl 

1

: having more than one focal length

multifocal lenses

2

: arising from or occurring in more than one focus or location

multifocal seizures