cataract

American  

[kat-uh-rakt] / ˈkæt əˌrækt /

noun

1. a descent of water over a steep surface; a waterfall, especially one of considerable size.

2. any furious rush or downpour of water; deluge.

3. Ophthalmology.

   1. an abnormality of the eye, characterized by opacity of the lens.

   2. the opaque area.

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cataract British  

/ ˈkætəˌrækt /

noun

1. a large waterfall or rapids

2. a deluge; downpour

3. pathol

   1. partial or total opacity of the crystalline lens of the eye

   2. the opaque area

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cataract Scientific  

/ kăt′ə-răkt′ /

1. An opacity of the lens of the eye or the membrane that covers it, causing impairment of vision or blindness.

2. A waterfall in which a large volume of water flows over a steep precipice.

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cataract Cultural  

1. A loss in the transparency of the lens of the eye, which reduces a person's ability to see. The condition can be treated by surgically removing the lens and replacing it with an artificial one, or with corrective eyeglasses or contact lenses.

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Other Word Forms

• cataractal adjective
• cataracted adjective
• cataractous adjective

Etymology

Origin of cataract

First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English cataracte, from Latin catar(r)acta, from Greek katarráktēs “waterfall, floodgate, portcullis” (noun), “downrushing” (adjective), from katarássein “to dash down,” from kat- cata- + arássein “to dash, smite”

Example Sentences

He said doctors told him he’ll require surgery to remove the cataract before they can determine that.

From Los Angeles Times • Jan. 16, 2026

And Medicare only pays the bottom level of cataract replacement lens—so people typically want to pay out of pocket to get the upgraded version.

From Barron's • Nov. 25, 2025

The current pontiff understands his own papacy as presiding over a comparable cataract in history.

From The Wall Street Journal • Nov. 13, 2025

I have taken one vacation in 17 years, to get cataract surgery.

From MarketWatch • Oct. 9, 2025

Beside me, the student's eyes swam with a distorting cataract of tears, his features rigid as though he struggled within himself.

From "Invisible Man" by Ralph Ellison