optical
adjective
op·ti·cal
ˈäp-ti-kəl 
1
: of or relating to the science of optics
2
a
: of or relating to vision : visual
b
: visible sense 1
optical wavelength
c
: of, relating to, or being objects that emit light in the visible range of frequencies
an optical galaxy
d
: using the properties of light to aid vision
an optical instrument
3
a
: of, relating to, or utilizing light especially instead of other forms of energy
optical microscopy
b
: involving the use of light-sensitive devices to acquire information for a computer
optical character recognition
4
: of or relating to optical art
Examples of optical in a Sentence
The company manufactures microscopes, telescopes, and other optical instruments.
an optical illusion that fools most people
Recent Examples on the Web
The first is, sensibly enough, that the optical heart rate sensor on the back of the watch appears to detect the loss of heart rate signal.
—
Andrew Williams, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
The Pixel 9a uses a 48MP main shooter at f/1.7 with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 13MP ultra-wide camera at f/2.2, and a 13MP selfie camera at f/2.2.
—PCMAG, 20 Mar. 2025
Born in Glendale, Calif., and raised in Huntington Beach, Gherardi and business partner Barbara McReynolds were high school friends who bonded over eyewear before becoming licensed opticians and opening optical boutique L.A. Eyeworks in Los Angeles on Melrose Avenue in 1979.
—Ryma Chikhoune, WWD, 20 Mar. 2025
Nvidia will likely discuss how the optical technology will be used in AI data centers.
—Britney Nguyen, Quartz, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for optical
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Andrew Williams, Forbes, 21 Mar. 2025
The Pixel 9a uses a 48MP main shooter at f/1.7 with optical image stabilization (OIS), a 13MP ultra-wide camera at f/2.2, and a 13MP selfie camera at f/2.2.
—PCMAG, 20 Mar. 2025
Born in Glendale, Calif., and raised in Huntington Beach, Gherardi and business partner Barbara McReynolds were high school friends who bonded over eyewear before becoming licensed opticians and opening optical boutique L.A. Eyeworks in Los Angeles on Melrose Avenue in 1979.
—Ryma Chikhoune, WWD, 20 Mar. 2025
Nvidia will likely discuss how the optical technology will be used in AI data centers.
—Britney Nguyen, Quartz, 18 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for optical
Cite this Entry
“Optical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/optical. Accessed 24 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
optical
adjective
op·ti·cal
ˈäp-ti-kəl
1
: relating to optics
2
: of or relating to vision
3
a
: of, relating to, or using light
an optical telescope
b
: involving the use of a device that senses light to acquire information for a computer
an optical scanner
Medical Definition
optical
adjective
op·ti·cal
ˈäp-ti-kəl
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