retinal

¹ American  

[ret-n-uhl] / ˈrɛt n əl /

adjective

1. of or relating to the retina of the eye.

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retinal ² American  

[ret-n-al, -awl] / ˈrɛt nˌæl, -ˌɔl /

Also retinene

noun

Biochemistry.

1. an orange pigment, C 2 0 H 2 8 O, that is the active component of rhodopsin and is liberated upon the absorption of light in the vision cycle; vitamin A aldehyde.

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Etymology

Origin of retinal¹

First recorded in 1830–40; retin(a) + -al ¹

Origin of retinal²

First recorded in 1940–45; retin(a) + -al ³

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Example Sentences

See Examples For:

retinal

Johnston's team is now working to improve its retinal organoids so they more closely reproduce the structure and function of the human eye.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 31, 2026

Instead of relying entirely on animal experiments, they grew miniature versions of human retinal tissue called organoids.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 31, 2026

By observing the retinal organoids over several months, the scientists could follow changes that would otherwise be extremely difficult to study during pregnancy.

From Science Daily ● Oct. 31, 2026

"I never saw someone engaged in a strong moral or ethical quest," says Olivier Marre, who worked with Amodei at Princeton on a retinal analysis device.

From Barron's ● Oct. 2, 2026

The security lock mounted outside required another retinal scan.

From "Ready Player One: A Novel" by Ernest Cline

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