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
Pinpointing the location of LMC* by finding an optical, radio or x-ray counterpart to the black hole, says Han.
—
Bruce Dorminey, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
The space telescope is able to detect more than 100 colors in both optical and near-infrared light which, though not visible to the human eye, serves as a powerful investigatory tool, according to NASA.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2025
As part of Taara's development, the project has already deployed its optical communication links in more than a dozen countries.
—Michael Kan, PCMAG, 28 Feb. 2025
Some of those students have earned certificates as community health workers and others as optical technicians, said Robinson, the senior vice president and area manager for Kaiser Permanente Sacramento and South Sacramento.
—Cathie Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 26 Feb. 2025
See All Example Sentences for optical
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Bruce Dorminey, Forbes, 8 Mar. 2025
The space telescope is able to detect more than 100 colors in both optical and near-infrared light which, though not visible to the human eye, serves as a powerful investigatory tool, according to NASA.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 1 Mar. 2025
As part of Taara's development, the project has already deployed its optical communication links in more than a dozen countries.
—Michael Kan, PCMAG, 28 Feb. 2025
Some of those students have earned certificates as community health workers and others as optical technicians, said Robinson, the senior vice president and area manager for Kaiser Permanente Sacramento and South Sacramento.
—Cathie Anderson, Sacramento Bee, 26 Feb. 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 13 Mar. 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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