magnification

[ mag-nuh-fi-key-shuhn ]

noun

1. the act of magnifying or the state of being magnified.
2. the power to magnify. Compare power ( def 20a ).
3. a magnified image, drawing, copy, etc.

magnification

/ ˌmæɡnɪfɪˈkeɪʃən /

noun

1. the act of magnifying or the state of being magnified
2. the degree to which something is magnified
3. a copy, photograph, drawing, etc, of something magnified
4. a measure of the ability of a lens or other optical instrument to magnify, expressed as the ratio of the size of the image to that of the object

Other Words From

• over·magni·fi·cation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of magnification¹

First recorded in 1615–25, magnification is from the Late Latin word magnificātiōn- (stem of magnificātiō ). See magnify, -fication

Example Sentences

The region of the highest cone density lies within the foveae, allowing the birds to clearly perceive distant objects through magnification.

From Science Daily

"When the muscle contracts, all the force is converted into movement in that direction. It's a huge magnification."

From Science Daily

By comparing the apparent positions of the holes as viewed by the optical microscope with the actual positions, the researchers assessed errors from magnification calibration and image distortion of the optical microscope.

From Science Daily

Josh Bouganim, a software engineer, proposed examining both cards under 200x magnification to see if the threads in the swatches matched.

From Los Angeles Times

This region of space was selected in part because it is located behind several galaxy clusters that create a natural magnification effect called gravitational lensing.

From Science Daily