cataract

American  

[kat-uh-rakt] / ˈkæt əˌrækt /

noun

cataracts plural

1. a descent of water over a steep surface; a waterfall, especially one of considerable size.

2. any furious rush or downpour of water; deluge.

3. Ophthalmology.

   1. an abnormality of the eye, characterized by opacity of the lens.

   2. the opaque area.

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cataract British  

/ ˈkætəˌrækt /

noun

1. a large waterfall or rapids

2. a deluge; downpour

3. pathol

   1. partial or total opacity of the crystalline lens of the eye

   2. the opaque area

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cataract Scientific  

/ kăt′ə-răkt′ /

1. An opacity of the lens of the eye or the membrane that covers it, causing impairment of vision or blindness.

2. A waterfall in which a large volume of water flows over a steep precipice.

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cataract Cultural  

1. A loss in the transparency of the lens of the eye, which reduces a person's ability to see. The condition can be treated by surgically removing the lens and replacing it with an artificial one, or with corrective eyeglasses or contact lenses.

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Other Word Forms

Derived Forms

• cataractal
  adjective
• cataracted
  adjective
• cataractous
  adjective

Inflected Forms

Nouns

• cataracts
  plural

Etymology

Origin of cataract

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English cataracte, from Latin catar(r)acta, from Greek katarráktēs “waterfall, floodgate, portcullis” (noun), “downrushing” (adjective), from katarássein “to dash down,” from kat- cata- + arássein “to dash, smite”

Explanation

If someone has a cataract in their right eye, their lens is cloudy rather than clear, so they have difficulty seeing. Luckily, cataracts are easily removed. Cataracts, cloudy areas of the lenses of the eye, are often associated with old age. Cataract can also mean a large waterfall, like Niagara Falls. Even with cataracts, you can still make out a cataract. It's not a little waterfall; it's huge!

Example Sentences

See Examples For:

cataract cataracts

His hearing declined; a cataract spread across his one eye.

From Los Angeles Times ● Jul. 28, 2026

In Honduras, José Enamorado, a plantain farmer, said his father received free cataract surgery from Cuban doctors last year, an operation that otherwise would have been unaffordable at $2,000.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 9, 2026

Piush Khetan, the charity's India director, said they offer basic services which include a free eye screening and glasses for people in need as well as performing cataract surgery.

From Barron's ● May 27, 2026

The targets were backed up by £120m of extra funding which he said would be targeted at providing more outpatient appointments, diagnostic tests and treatments, including more than 20,000 cataract operations.

From BBC ● Apr. 22, 2026

Beside me, the student's eyes swam with a distorting cataract of tears, his features rigid as though he struggled within himself.

From "Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison

However, NHS surgery was available in England to those with more advanced cataracts.

From BBC ● Jan. 12, 2026

When ozone levels drop, more UV rays reach the ground, increasing the risk of crop damage and contributing to higher rates of skin cancer and cataracts, along with other negative health effects.

From Science Daily ● Dec. 4, 2025

Wolseley planned to reach Gordon by ascending the Nile, but he encountered daunting cataracts along the river and then sent out a camel-mounted detachment, with Burnaby as second-in-command, in a shortcut across the desert.

From The Wall Street Journal ● Dec. 1, 2025

Tran’s medical bills from an ongoing battle with diabetes and cataracts and the costs of the increased security measures were the last straw for the family and the market.

From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 14, 2025

He must’ve been at least fifteen feet tall, but the most startling thing was his enormous milky eye, scarred and webbed with cataracts.

From "The Sea of Monsters" by Rick Riordan