periscope

noun

peri·​scope ˈper-ə-ˌskōp 

: a tubular optical instrument containing lenses and mirrors by which an observer obtains an otherwise obstructed field of view

Illustration of periscope

Examples of periscope in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Instead of the 3x periscope telephoto camera found on the iQOO 12, the company opted for a 2x optical zoom telephoto sensor. —Prakhar Khanna, Forbes, 8 Dec. 2024

Tuesday night marked the latest twin stretch that raised the periscope of possibility of another double-dip this spring. —Dave Hyde, Sun Sentinel, 28 Feb. 2024

Videos and pictures released by Elephant Nature Park near the northern city of Chiang Mai show elephants wading through belly-deep floodwaters, the tips of their noses poking like periscopes out of the murky deluge. —Nat Sumon, NBC News, 4 Oct. 2024

This was mainly intended to confuse the view from a periscope. —David Hambling, Forbes, 16 Sep. 2024

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1879, in the meaning defined above

Kids Definition

periscope

noun

peri·​scope ˈper-ə-ˌskōp 

: an instrument containing lenses and mirrors by which an observer (as on a submerged submarine) can get a view that would otherwise be blocked

periscopic

ˌper-ə-ˈskäp-ik

adjective