contact lens

American  

noun

1. one of a pair of small plastic disks that are held in place over the cornea by surface tension and correct vision defects inconspicuously.

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contact lens British  

noun

1. a thin convex lens, usually of plastic, which floats on the layer of tears in front of the cornea to correct defects of vision

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Etymology

Origin of contact lens

First recorded in 1885–90

Example Sentences

In Florstadt, automated procedures coexist with manual handling at fixed workstations, such as preparing a single contact lens ordered by an optician for a specific patient for further shipping.

From Barron's • Apr. 5, 2026

We went through four different contact lens and colors, but we wanted the one that would allow people in more.

From Los Angeles Times • Nov. 21, 2024

Those people, along with some athletic types, are catered to by the contact lens market.

From Slate • Oct. 20, 2024

A cross-disciplinary University of Waterloo team has developed a new contact lens material that could act as a bandage for corneal wounds while releasing drugs in a controlled manner to help the eye heal faster.

From Science Daily • Mar. 21, 2024

The old lady snatched it up, pushed it into her eye socket like somebody putting in a contact lens, and blinked.

From "The Sea of Monsters" by Rick Riordan