a piece of transparent substance, usually glass, having two opposite surfaces either both curved or one curved and one plane, used in an optical device in changing the convergence of light rays, as for magnification, or in correcting defects of vision.
a combination of such pieces.
some analogous device, as for affecting sound waves, electromagnetic radiation, or streams of electrons.
Anatomy. crystalline lens.
Geology. a body of rock or ore that is thick in the middle and thinner toward the edges, similar in shape to a biconvex lens.
a piece of glass or other transparent material, used to converge or diverge transmitted light and form optical images
Also called: compound lens. a combination of such lenses for forming images or concentrating a beam of light
a device that diverges or converges a beam of electromagnetic radiation, sound, or particles See electron lens
anatomy See crystalline lens
A transparent structure behind the iris of the eye that focuses light entering the eye on the retina.
A piece of glass or plastic shaped so as to focus or spread light rays that pass through it, often for the purpose of forming an image.
A combination of two or more such lenses, as in a camera or telescope.
A device that causes radiation to converge or diverge by an action analogous to that of an optical lens. The system of electric fields used to focus electron beams in electron microscopes is an example of a lens.
First recorded in 1685–95; from New Latin, special use of Latin lēns “a lentil” (from its shape); see lentil
A lens is a curved transparent device that bends light, like the lens of eyeglasses or a contact lens you’ll need if the natural lens in your eye needs help. Cameras have a lens, too. Smile! In an eye, the lens — which is behind the iris — helps focus light on the retina so you can see. It's a lot like the lens in a telescope or camera, which also focuses light and helps form images. You can also use the word lens as a metaphor for how you see things. If you look at sports through the lens of medicine, you might study injuries to players. All these lenses help you see or perceive things.
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Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
“Inspired by Balinese architecture and thoughtfully reimagined through a distinctly Californian lens, the residence celebrates natural materials, soaring timber ceilings, expansive walls of glass, and raw, textured stone,” the listing description notes.
From MarketWatch ● Aug. 14, 2026
That was the lens progression we were going for and heart progression we were looking for.
From Los Angeles Times ● Aug. 6, 2026
“Chef’s Table” showed me that food could be a lens through which to understand culture, grief, resilience, identity, and community.
From Salon ● Aug. 6, 2026
The South West is the second worst performing region through this lens, after the South East.
From BBC ● Aug. 6, 2026
The cameraman already has the camera on his shoulder, the lens glaring right into my face.
From "How It Went Down" by Kekla Magoon
A last-gasp defeat by England in Lens momentarily punctured that optimism, but the final group game against Russia presented Coleman's side with a chance to secure their place in the knockout stages.
From BBC ● Aug. 4, 2026
He will be joined at the club by Jamal Alioui, his assistant coach at Lens.
From BBC ● Jun. 15, 2026
Lens made 426 high turnovers during the 2025-26 season, frequently turning those moments into chances - producing 69 shots and seven goals.
From BBC ● Jun. 15, 2026
Sage joined Lens 12 months ago and became Ligue 1's manager of the year, leading Lens to a second-placed finish and the first Coupe de France triumph in the club's 120-year history.
From BBC ● Jun. 15, 2026
The colonel of the Leinsters told another queer tale of an Irishman in the outskirts of Lens.
From From Bapaume to Passchendaele, 1917 by Philip Gibbs
“His prescription contact lenses had expired,” Sidhar reported, “and he told his chain of command that he couldn’t even see what he was doing, and he was worried about causing accidents.”
From Salon ● Aug. 17, 2026
Though he says you must keep them in a safe place to ensure the coating on the lenses isn't torn, worn or damaged, as that would make them unsafe to use again.
From BBC ● Aug. 13, 2026
“You need to deal with what you wear and wear it comfortably,” the 35-year-old teacher told AFP, brandishing a sword and wearing blood-red contact lenses.
From Barron's ● Aug. 1, 2026
Two economic lenses bring those benefits into focus, revealing why Loper Bright is the sounder doctrine in the long run.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 24, 2026
He cranked the lenses to their highest magnification and peered through them.
From "The Assassination of Brangwain Spurge" by M.T. Anderson and Eugene Yelchin
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.
