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
Its optical formula provides prime-quality background blurring power through the zoom range, something that no first-party APS-C zoom has accomplished.
—
PC Magazine, 17 July 2025
Scientists know a lot of things about insect optical processing.
—Michael W. Clune, Harpers Magazine, 16 July 2025
What was particularly interesting about the optical polarization was the fact that it was oriented in the same direction as the angle of X-ray polarization.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 16 July 2025
Another round of close-proximity operations took place on June 30, observed from Earth by optical tracking firm s2a Systems in Switzerland.
—Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for optical
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PC Magazine, 17 July 2025
Scientists know a lot of things about insect optical processing.
—Michael W. Clune, Harpers Magazine, 16 July 2025
What was particularly interesting about the optical polarization was the fact that it was oriented in the same direction as the angle of X-ray polarization.
—Robert Lea, Space.com, 16 July 2025
Another round of close-proximity operations took place on June 30, observed from Earth by optical tracking firm s2a Systems in Switzerland.
—Theo Burman, MSNBC Newsweek, 14 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for optical
Cite this Entry
“Optical.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/optical. Accessed 23 Jul. 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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