binocular

American  

[buh-nok-yuh-ler, bahy-] / bəˈnɒk yə lər, baɪ- /

noun

1. Also called pair of binoculars,.  Also called prism binoculars.  Usually binoculars. an optical device, providing good depth effect, for use with both eyes, consisting of two small telescopes fitted together side by side, each telescope having two prisms between the eyepiece and objective for erecting the image.

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adjective

1. involving both eyes.

   binocular vision.

binocular British  

/ baɪ-, bɪˈnɒkjʊlə /

adjective

1. involving, relating to, seeing with or intended for both eyes

   binocular vision

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binocular Scientific  

/ bə-nŏk′yə-lər /

1. Relating to or involving both eyes at once, as in binocular vision.

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1. An optical device, such as a pair of field glasses, consisting of two small telescopes, designed for use by both eyes at once. Often used in the plural as binoculars.

Other Word Forms

• binocularity noun
• binocularly adverb

Etymology

Origin of binocular

First recorded in 1705–15; bin- + ocular

Example Sentences

Many cruise lines offer educational seminars to prepare you for each port, binocular training to help you spot wildlife, and excursions ranging from fishing and hiking to food tours and animal encounters.

From Salon • Jul. 20, 2025

A popular one involves binocular rivalry: if different images are shown to a person’s left and right eye, their conscious perception flips between them.

From Science Magazine • Jun. 25, 2023

A binocular view of Tuffy and Lola underscored that size difference.

From Los Angeles Times • Jun. 23, 2023

Doing so vanquishes the conflicting binocular images from both eyes, which the brain can’t overcome.

From New York Times • Feb. 26, 2022

There may be some convergent evolution because there may be only one best solution to a certain environmental problem— something like two eyes, for example, for binocular vision at optical frequencies.

From "Cosmos" by Carl Sagan