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

When another American vessel spotted a periscope peeking out of the waves nearby, the Ward and its 115 sailors — at least 85 of whom were St. Paulites — motored over to investigate. —Nick Woltman, Twin Cities, 23 Feb. 2025

There's a triple-lens main camera in the Find N5, combining a 50-megapixel shooter with a large aperture and sensor for better low-light performance, a 50-megapixel periscope telephoto lens enabling 3X optical zoom, and an 8-MP ultrawide. —Julian Chokkattu, WIRED, 22 Feb. 2025

Oppo opts for a Samsung sensor to serve the 50-MP periscope telephoto rocking a 70-mm focal length and fast F2.7 aperture. —Paul Ridden, New Atlas, 21 Feb. 2025

More expensive phones with proper periscope telephoto camera deliver better zoom results. —Prakhar Khanna, Forbes, 7 Jan. 2025

Word History

Etymology

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1879, in the meaning defined above

Rhymes for periscope

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

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