augmented reality

American  

[awg-men-tid ree-al-i-tee, awg-men-tid] / ˈɔgˌmɛn tɪd riˈæl ɪ ti, ɔgˈmɛn tɪd /

noun

1. Digital Technology. AR

   1. an enhanced image or environment as viewed on a screen or other display, produced by overlaying computer-generated images, sounds, or other data on a real-world environment.

   2. a system or technology used to produce such an enhanced environment.

      With augmented reality, tourists can see signs and other written words translated into English just by using their smartphone camera and this app.

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augmented reality British  

noun

1. an artificial environment created through the combination of real-world and computer-generated data

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Etymology

Origin of augmented reality

First recorded in 1980–85; patterned after virtual reality

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

augmented reality

The mobile app Pokémon Go, which is now celebrating its 10th anniversary, uses GPS and augmented reality to let players find and catch virtual monsters in real-world locations.

From BBC ● Jul. 13, 2026

Smart glasses are becoming more popular as augmented reality and artificial intelligence tech becomes more advanced.

From Barron's ● Jun. 23, 2026

“The smartphone put our lives in our pockets, but augmented reality puts computing into the world where life actually happens, and that is the shift from phones to Specs,” Spiegel said.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jun. 16, 2026

Most smartglasses don’t yet have facial-recognition capabilities, but already they can use augmented reality to answer certain questions about what we see.

From The Wall Street Journal ● May 7, 2026

“You don’t have any augmented reality overlaid in your home,” I say as I sit.

From "Warcross" by Marie Lu