1
: a polyhedron with two polygonal faces lying in parallel planes and with the other faces parallelograms
2
a
: a transparent body that is bounded in part by two nonparallel plane faces and is used to refract or disperse a beam of light
b
: a prism-shaped decorative glass luster
3
: a crystal form whose faces are parallel to one axis
especially
: one whose faces are parallel to the vertical axis
4
: a medium that distorts, slants, or colors whatever is viewed through it
Examples of prism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
There are certain substances that become prisms for rappers, their descriptions refracting through regional and personal styles as if through a thousand shards of glass.
—
Pitchfork, 1 Oct. 2024
Considering the above argument through the prism of the United States, no doubt there’s anti-Semitism in the U.S.
—John Tamny, Forbes, 18 Sep. 2024
His Community character, Abed Nadir, a film student on the autism spectrum who tended to see the world through the prism of TV and film tropes, was the source of many of the show’s meta storylines, arguably becoming the series' heart and soul.
—John Russell, Peoplemag, 17 Sep. 2024
Taking place at the Guardian Art Center near the Forbidden City, the retrospective brings together archival fashion pieces and artworks that celebrate the color, the material and the concept of gold through the prism of fashion, art and culture.
—Denni Hu, WWD, 3 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for prism 
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Pitchfork, 1 Oct. 2024
Considering the above argument through the prism of the United States, no doubt there’s anti-Semitism in the U.S.
—John Tamny, Forbes, 18 Sep. 2024
His Community character, Abed Nadir, a film student on the autism spectrum who tended to see the world through the prism of TV and film tropes, was the source of many of the show’s meta storylines, arguably becoming the series' heart and soul.
—John Russell, Peoplemag, 17 Sep. 2024
Taking place at the Guardian Art Center near the Forbidden City, the retrospective brings together archival fashion pieces and artworks that celebrate the color, the material and the concept of gold through the prism of fashion, art and culture.
—Denni Hu, WWD, 3 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for prism
Dictionary Entries Near prism
Cite this Entry
“Prism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prism. Accessed 8 Nov. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
prism
noun1
: a polyhedron with two opposite ends that are parallel polygons and faces that are each parallelograms
2
: a transparent object that usually has three sides and bends light so that it breaks up into rainbow colors
Medical Definition
prism
noun1
: a polyhedron with two polygonal faces lying in parallel planes and with the other faces parallelograms
2
: a transparent body that is bounded in part by two nonparallel plane faces and is used to refract or disperse a beam of light
3
: a crystal form whose faces are parallel to one axis
especially
: one whose faces are parallel to the vertical axis
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