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zoom lens
noun
: a lens (as of a camera or projector) in which the image size can be varied continuously while the image remains in focus
Examples of zoom lens in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
All the major lenses—main, wide-angle, and the rectangular periscope zoom lens—live in one big cutout now.
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Ron Amadeo, Ars Technica, 8 Sep. 2023
The Apollo 11 lunar camera that the team came up with was 17 inches long with a variable focus zoom lens and weighed less than 15 pounds, according to a Westinghouse news release at the time.
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Frederick N. Rasmussen, Baltimore Sun, 30 June 2023
Telephoto 3x instead provides a zoom lens to help users get a clearer view of distant areas such as a mailbox, garage, or shed.
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Jess Weatherbed, The Verge, 17 Jan. 2023
The main attraction here is the retractable portrait zoom lens, which physically pops out (see picture below).
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Ben Sin, Forbes, 18 Dec. 2022
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Word History
First Known Use
1932, in the meaning defined above
Dictionary Entries Near zoom lens
Cite this Entry
“Zoom lens.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/zoom%20lens. Accessed 19 Feb. 2025.
Kids Definition
zoom lens
noun
: a lens on a camera or projector in which the size of the image can be continuously changed while the image remains in focus
More from Merriam-Webster on zoom lens
Nglish: Translation of zoom lens for Spanish Speakers
Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about zoom lens
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