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
Each aircraft is equipped with sophisticated optical and electronic sensors.
—
Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
The report also alleges that Genki confirmed the existence of an optical sensor, and that fans the flames of existing speculation that the Joy-Con may double as a mouse, sort of how the Legion Go 2 TrueStrike controller does.
—Jason Evangelho, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
The projector's upper slate is reported to boast the world's thinnest HD optical engine featuring the smallest DLP chip.
—Paul Ridden, New Atlas, 8 Jan. 2025
In between the longer shoulder buttons along the Joy-Con's inner edge (SL and SR) and a new central connector port, eagle-eyed viewers noticed what looks suspiciously like the optical sensor that sits on the bottom of practically every mouse these days.
—Ars Technica, 7 Jan. 2025
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Tommy Tuberville, Newsweek, 8 Jan. 2025
The report also alleges that Genki confirmed the existence of an optical sensor, and that fans the flames of existing speculation that the Joy-Con may double as a mouse, sort of how the Legion Go 2 TrueStrike controller does.
—Jason Evangelho, Forbes, 8 Jan. 2025
The projector's upper slate is reported to boast the world's thinnest HD optical engine featuring the smallest DLP chip.
—Paul Ridden, New Atlas, 8 Jan. 2025
In between the longer shoulder buttons along the Joy-Con's inner edge (SL and SR) and a new central connector port, eagle-eyed viewers noticed what looks suspiciously like the optical sensor that sits on the bottom of practically every mouse these days.
—Ars Technica, 7 Jan. 2025
See all Example Sentences for optical
Dictionary Entries Near optical
Cite this Entry
“Optical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/optical. Accessed 20 Jan. 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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