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bifocal

American  
[bahy-foh-kuhl, bahy-foh-] / baɪˈfoʊ kəl, ˈbaɪˌfoʊ- /

adjective

  1. Chiefly Optics. having two foci.

  2. (of an eyeglass or contact lens) having two portions, one for near and one for far vision.

noun

  1. bifocals, bifocal eyeglasses or contact lenses.

bifocal British  
/ baɪˈfəʊkəl /

adjective

  1. optics having two different focuses

  2. relating to a compound lens permitting near and distant vision

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of bifocal

An Americanism dating back to 1885–90; bi- 1 + focal

Vocabulary lists containing bifocal

bi-

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Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

The Cherry Valance TCV3 Bifocal Media When the original band members start to leave one of your favorite bands, it's usually the sign of bad things to come.

From Time Magazine Archive

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.

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