binocular

[ buh-nok-yuh-ler, bahy- ]

noun

1. Usually binoculars. Also called pair of binoculars, an optical device, providing good depth effect, for use with both eyes, consisting of two small telescopes fitted together side by side, each telescope having two prisms between the eyepiece and objective for erecting the image.

adjective

1. involving both eyes:

   binocular vision.

binocular

/ baɪ-; bɪˈnɒkjʊlə /

adjective

1. involving, relating to, seeing with or intended for both eyes

   binocular vision

binocular

/ bə-nŏk′yə-lər /

Adjective

1. Relating to or involving both eyes at once, as in binocular vision.

Noun

1. An optical device, such as a pair of field glasses, consisting of two small telescopes, designed for use by both eyes at once. Often used in the plural as binoculars.

Other Words From

• bin·ocu·lari·ty noun
• bin·ocu·lar·ly adverb

Word History and Origins

Origin of binocular¹

First recorded in 1705–15; bin- + ocular

Word History and Origins

Origin of binocular¹

C18: from bi- ¹+ Latin oculus eye

Example Sentences

Incidentally, because it is close to the sun, please don’t use binoculars or a telescope to look directly at the sun.

From Washington Post

His bodyguard, up in the stands, considered reaching for the pistol in his binocular case.

From Time

People can pay homage to Galileo by observing this conjunction with a pair of binoculars, if not a telescope.

From Fortune

My companions scanned the treetops with binoculars and a thermal-imaging monocular.

From Science News

Bank fishing is a lot like jump-shooting waterfowl in that you can use binoculars and you can see the ripples or a pod of fish in the water.

From Popular-Science

One of the officers instantly went to the top with his binocular, bringing it to bear on a small, far distant speck on the ocean.

From Project Gutenberg

But no sign of the Polynesia 55 was discovered through the powerful binocular glasses with which Captain Bergen swept the horizon.

From Project Gutenberg

Then getting out a powerful binocular I rode up to a point whence I knew I could command a considerable sweep.

From Project Gutenberg

This identity presupposes the habit of binocular fusion; but convergent squint arises, as a rule, before this habit is acquired.

From Project Gutenberg

Examination with the stereoscope showed no normal binocular fusion even during normal position of the eyes.

From Project Gutenberg