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.
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
As a parent now myself, I empathise from the other side of the lens and share the pride of parents seeing their baby grown up and achieving their dreams in front of their eyes.
From BBC ● Jul. 13, 2026
“We more as a society had accepted two-parent working households but haven’t really pressed that wider lens on how it impacts workers who are also caring for older adults,” Jorwic said.
From MarketWatch ● Jul. 7, 2026
Scientists have long viewed the relationship between people and wolves largely through the lens of dog domestication.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 5, 2026
As the U.S. celebrates the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence this weekend, Abraham Lincoln offers a lens for how to interpret the promise of that founding document.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jul. 2, 2026
I put my glasses on with one hand, but not before noticing the big Y-shaped crack across the right lens.
From "Popcorn" by Rob Harrell
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
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
Lens averaged 51.9% possession in 2025-26 - but their game was less about long spells on the ball and more about what happened the moment they won it back.
From BBC ● Jun. 15, 2026
He said Life Through a Royal Lens was not just about royalty.
From BBC ● Apr. 12, 2026
The trees of Hirondelle Wood and the towers of Lens blackened.
From From Bapaume to Passchendaele, 1917 by Gibbs, Philip
He said: "My kilt is in the bag so and I don't have that and my contact lenses are in the bag so I can't see the game but we'll make it work."
From BBC ● Jun. 11, 2026
Swope Soccer Village, where Sporting’s developmental team trains, was just the place to keep clear from prying eyes and long camera lenses.
From The Wall Street Journal ● Jun. 9, 2026
To test the technique, the team created specialized platinum "contact lenses" shaped to match the desired curvature of the cornea.
From Science Daily ● May 28, 2026
The lenses for the glasses come from China, while the frames are made in India from metal wire and assembled in about 10 minutes.
From Barron's ● May 27, 2026
Hidden behind those reflective lenses, Mr. Curtain’s expression was difficult to read.
From "The Mysterious Benedict Society" by Trenton Lee Stewart
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.
