Illustration of iris
- iris 2
plural irises also irides
ˈī-rə-ˌdēz 
ˈir-ə-
1
a
: the opaque contractile diaphragm perforated by the pupil and forming the colored portion of the eye see eye illustration
b
: iris diaphragm
also
: a similar device with a circular opening that can be varied in size
2
also plural iris
: any of a large genus (Iris of the family Iridaceae, the iris family) of perennial herbaceous plants with linear usually basal leaves and large showy flowers
3
: rainbow
Examples of iris in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Billy Perrigo, Time, 27 May 2025
Letting her front yard in a historic, urban Birmingham, Ala., neighborhood go wild with more-than-foot-high native roses, irises, azalea saplings, tiger lilies, columbines, rose campions and daisy fleabanes, in violation of a local ordinance.
—USA Today, 16 May 2025
The platform combines iris scanning technology with blockchain to create unique digital identities, effectively bridging biological existence with digital participation.
—Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 5 May 2025
To enroll, users stare into an Orb, which collects a scan of their irises.
—Jason Henry, New York Times, 3 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for iris
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Noun
Simultaneously, a telephoto lens zoomed in on my iris, capturing the physical traits within that distinguish me from every other human on Earth.
—Billy Perrigo, Time, 27 May 2025
Letting her front yard in a historic, urban Birmingham, Ala., neighborhood go wild with more-than-foot-high native roses, irises, azalea saplings, tiger lilies, columbines, rose campions and daisy fleabanes, in violation of a local ordinance.
—USA Today, 16 May 2025
The platform combines iris scanning technology with blockchain to create unique digital identities, effectively bridging biological existence with digital participation.
—Cornelia C. Walther, Forbes.com, 5 May 2025
To enroll, users stare into an Orb, which collects a scan of their irises.
—Jason Henry, New York Times, 3 May 2025
See All Example Sentences for iris
Cite this Entry
“Iris.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/iris. Accessed 8 Jun. 2025.
Copy CitationMedical Definition
iris
noun
plural irises or irides
ˈī-rə-ˌdēz
ˈir-ə-
ˈir-ə-
1
: the opaque muscular contractile diaphragm that is suspended in the aqueous humor in front of the lens of the eye, is perforated by the pupil and is continuous peripherally with the ciliary body, has a deeply pigmented posterior surface which excludes the entrance of light except through the pupil and a colored anterior surface which determines the color of the eyes
2
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