magnification

American  

[mag-nuh-fi-key-shuhn] / ˌmæg nə fɪˈkeɪ ʃən /

noun

1. the act of magnifying or the state of being magnified.

2. the power to magnify.

3. a magnified image, drawing, copy, etc.

---

magnification British  

/ 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 Word Forms

• overmagnification
  noun

Etymology

Origin of magnification

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

Explanation

Magnification is the process of making an object appear much larger than it really is. You might use magnification to inspect a rare penny, or even a zit. You decide. Some small objects, like cells, require magnification to be seen at all. Other things, like distant planets, are so far away that you need the magnification of a telescope to get a good look at them. Binoculars use magnification so you can see the details of birds close-up, and reading glasses use magnification for reading small print. Magnification comes from the Latin word magnificare, "esteem greatly" or "make much of."

Example Sentences

If you’d rather magnify text only as needed, tap the Magnification option within the main Android Accessibility settings menu and activate the toggle next to Magnification shortcut.

From The Verge • Jul. 14, 2022

Magnification is the process of enlarging an object in appearance.

From Textbooks • Jun. 9, 2022

Magnification gives surgeons up-close, unparalleled views of ducts 1 millimeter in diameter.

From Seattle Times • Jan. 6, 2018

Magnification is not one of the criteria on which to base your choice of a telescope.

From Textbooks • Oct. 13, 2016

"Nowhere in particular," was the reply, "although it is my intention soon to visit the Emerald City and arrange to give a course of lectures to select audiences on the 'Advantages of Magnification.'"

From The Marvelous Land of Oz by Baum, L. Frank (Lyman Frank)