binocular

[ buh-nok-yuh-ler, bahy- ]

/ bəˈnɒk yə lər, baɪ- /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR binocular ON THESAURUS.COM

noun

Usually binoculars. Also called pair of binoculars, prism 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.

adjective

involving both eyes: binocular vision.

RELATED WORDS

lorgnette, pince-nez

Nearby words

binky, binman, binnacle, binnig, binocle, binocular, binocular disparity, binocular fusion, binocular microscope, binocular rivalry, binocular vision

Origin of binocular

First recorded in 1705–15; bin- + ocular

Related formsbin·oc·u·lar·i·ty, nounbin·oc·u·lar·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for binoculars

They were found camped in the woods, armed with binoculars, flying a small helicopter.
What Was This Drone Doing Over a South Carolina Prison?|Melissa Leon|August 1, 2014|DAILY BEAST
The search for the remains of Flight 370 is not simply a case of binoculars out of the window, although they play a part.
Was MH370 Carrying Killer Cargo?|Clive Irving|March 21, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Without a bribed official, a halcyon, or eagle, will watch the entry point with binoculars for patterns and opportunities.
The Devil’s Drug: The True Story of Meth in New Mexico|Nick Romeo|August 24, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Detective Brian Sallee lifted a pair of binoculars and scanned a parking lot a quarter mile down the road.
The Devil’s Drug: The True Story of Meth in New Mexico|Nick Romeo|August 24, 2013|DAILY BEAST

The film opens with her bratty brother spying on her with binoculars as she suntans on a beach.
‘Jeune et Jolie’ (‘Young and Beautiful’) Opens at Cannes With Model Marine Vacth|Richard Porton|May 16, 2013|DAILY BEAST
Of the deliberate and diffuse Federationist there remained no trace, save the binoculars and two damp whiskers.
A Diversity of Creatures|Rudyard Kipling
Skipper of Drifter (who has been fined thirty-five shillings for losing a pair of binoculars).
Punch, or the London Charivari, Vol. 153, Sept. 19, 1917|Various
Through their binoculars and opera glasses, they could see the boys very active about their camp across the lake.
The Girls of Central High in Camp|Gertrude W. Morrison
With the binoculars I distinguished at vast distance five other camels in the direction the single bull was taking.
Unexplored Spain|Abel Chapman
Scotty did not reply, but continued with his binoculars to the left of the Monserat.
Fighting Byng|A. Stone

British Dictionary definitions for binoculars (1 of 2)

binoculars

/ (bɪˈnɒkjʊləz, baɪ-) /

pl n

an optical instrument for use with both eyes, consisting of two small telescopes joined togetherAlso called: field glasses

British Dictionary definitions for binoculars (2 of 2)

binocular

/ (bɪˈnɒkjʊlə, baɪ-) /

adjective

involving, relating to, seeing with or intended for both eyesbinocular vision

Word Origin for binocular

C18: from bi- 1 + Latin oculus eye

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

Word Origin and History for binoculars (1 of 2)

binoculars

1866; see binocular. Earlier binocle (1690s).

Word Origin and History for binoculars (1 of 2)

binocular

adj.

1738, "involving both eyes," earlier "having two eyes" (1713), from French binoculaire, from Latin bini "two by two, twofold, two apiece" (see binary) + ocularis "of the eye," from oculus "eye" (see eye (n.)). The double-tubed telescopic instrument (1871, short for binocular glass) earlier was called a binocle. Related: Binocularity.

Medicine definitions for binoculars

binocular

[ bə-nŏk′yə-lər, bī- ]

adj.

Adapted to the use of both eyes. Used of an optical instrument.

Science definitions for binoculars

binocular

[ bə-nŏk′yə-lər ]

Adjective

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

Noun

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.