a piece of transparent substance, usually glass, having two opposite surfaces either both curved or one curved and one plane, used in an optical device in changing the convergence of light rays, as for magnification, or in correcting defects of vision.
a combination of such pieces.
some analogous device, as for affecting sound waves, electromagnetic radiation, or streams of electrons.
Anatomy. crystalline lens.
Geology. a body of rock or ore that is thick in the middle and thinner toward the edges, similar in shape to a biconvex lens.
a piece of glass or other transparent material, used to converge or diverge transmitted light and form optical images
Also called: compound lens. a combination of such lenses for forming images or concentrating a beam of light
a device that diverges or converges a beam of electromagnetic radiation, sound, or particles See electron lens
anatomy See crystalline lens
A transparent structure behind the iris of the eye that focuses light entering the eye on the retina.
A piece of glass or plastic shaped so as to focus or spread light rays that pass through it, often for the purpose of forming an image.
A combination of two or more such lenses, as in a camera or telescope.
A device that causes radiation to converge or diverge by an action analogous to that of an optical lens. The system of electric fields used to focus electron beams in electron microscopes is an example of a lens.
First recorded in 1685–95; from New Latin, special use of Latin lēns “a lentil” (from its shape); see lentil
A lens is a curved transparent device that bends light, like the lens of eyeglasses or a contact lens you’ll need if the natural lens in your eye needs help. Cameras have a lens, too. Smile! In an eye, the lens — which is behind the iris — helps focus light on the retina so you can see. It's a lot like the lens in a telescope or camera, which also focuses light and helps form images. You can also use the word lens as a metaphor for how you see things. If you look at sports through the lens of medicine, you might study injuries to players. All these lenses help you see or perceive things.
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Pulling back the lens, here’s where things stood for the year to date through July 13:
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 17, 2026
“We more as a society had accepted two-parent working households but haven’t really pressed that wider lens on how it impacts workers who are also caring for older adults,” Jorwic said.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 7, 2026
Scientists have long viewed the relationship between people and wolves largely through the lens of dog domestication.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 5, 2026
The touring exhibition is set across four sections, each offering a "different lens" on the singer, who died in January 2016 aged 69.
From BBC ● Jul. 1, 2026
Even a man as perceptive as W. E. B. Du Bois for years viewed the world exclusively through the lens of race.
From "The Best of Enemies" by Osha Gray Davidson
Sage joined Lens 12 months ago and became Ligue 1's manager of the year, leading Lens to a second-placed finish and the first Coupe de France triumph in the club's 120-year history.
From BBC ● Jun. 15, 2026
PSG have not conceded many goals this season but Chelsea, RC Lens and Bayern Munich have all attacked well against them.
From BBC ● May 30, 2026
PSG sealed Ligue 1 with a game to spare on 13 May thanks to a 2-0 win at Lens, their closest challengers, who finished six points adrift in second.
From BBC ● May 28, 2026
Lorient are considering former Lens and Southampton boss Will Still as a candidate to become manager.
From BBC ● Apr. 18, 2026
They described the panic that reigned in Lens, and the fearful haste to destroy and get away.
From From Bapaume to Passchendaele, 1917 by Gibbs, Philip
Two economic lenses bring those benefits into focus, revealing why Loper Bright is the sounder doctrine in the long run.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 24, 2026
He said: "My kilt is in the bag so and I don't have that and my contact lenses are in the bag so I can't see the game but we'll make it work."
From BBC ● Jun. 11, 2026
The lenses for the glasses come from China, while the frames are made in India from metal wire and assembled in about 10 minutes.
From Barron's ● May 27, 2026
"Think of photochromic sunglasses. When you're inside, they're just clear lenses. You walk out into the sun, and they darken on their own. Come back inside, and the lenses become clear again," Nguyen continued.
From Science Daily ● May 15, 2026
He had worked on government orders, camera lenses, and microscopes, earning twenty-five dollars a week.
From Nazi Saboteurs by Samantha Seiple
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
