oculus
Americannoun
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an eye.
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Architecture. a circular opening, especially one at the apex of a dome.
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Archaeology. a design representing an eye, as on funerary pottery found in megalithic tombs of Europe.
Other Word Forms
Noun Inflected Forms
Etymology
Origin of oculus
< New Latin, Latin: eye
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
The American architect and artist created a contemplative moment with her two-part sculptural fountain: One stone lies flat as water bubbles up and over it, while an adjacent 11-foot-tall stone oculus emits a gentle mist.
From The Wall Street Journal • Jun. 16, 2026
At the top is an oculus, a round opening in the roof, like in the Pantheon in Rome.
From Los Angeles Times • Mar. 9, 2023
At ground level, a circular port called an oculus will allow passersby to peer into a 325,000-gallon coral canyon teeming with thousands of fish and invertebrates.
From Seattle Times • Oct. 28, 2022
“I do not feel it appropriate to offer Architect of the Capitol approval for the oculus component.”
From Washington Post • Aug. 31, 2022
I glance over my shoulder to see if Killer Man is giving me the evil oculus, but he is not so much as looking in my direction.
From "The Misfits" by James Howe
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.
