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.
Each microscopic lens acts like a tiny camera, recording the same scene from a slightly different angle.
From Science Daily ● Jul. 17, 2026
Powerful Pakistani army chief Asim Munir's rapport with Trump has elevated Islamabad's influence in a bilateral relationship long focused through a security lens.
From Barron's ● Jul. 17, 2026
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
She put her hand in front of the lens and suddenly the rock projection had a large hole.
From "Glitch" by Laura Martin
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 produced 65 direct attacks and 55 fast breaks last season, highlighting a clear preference for moving forward at speed rather than recycling possession.
From BBC ● Jun. 15, 2026
Crystal Palace have appointed Lens manager Pierre Sage as their head coach on a three-year contract.
From BBC ● Jun. 15, 2026
PSG have not conceded many goals this season but Chelsea, RC Lens and Bayern Munich have all attacked well against them.
From BBC ● May 30, 2026
The Lens and Microscope.—In the examination of the minuter forms of insect life the naked eye is not sufficient, and a hand-lens, or, for more delicate work, the compound microscope will be found necessary.
From Directions for Collecting and Preserving Insects by Riley, C. V.
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
Constraints on competition that hurt workers and consumers—such as certain occupational licenses or restrictions on who can sell contact lenses or hearing aids—should be avoided.
From The Wall Street Journal ● May 31, 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
He's wearing a gray and red shirt with a University of Nebraska logo printed on the front and oversized glasses, even though the lenses aren't prescription.
From "Starfish" by Akemi Dawn Bowman
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.
