binocular

1 of 2

adjective

bin·​oc·​u·​lar bī-ˈnä-kyə-lər How to pronounce binocular (audio) bə- How to pronounce binocular (audio)
: of, relating to, using, or adapted to the use of both eyes
binocularity
(ˌ)bī-ˌnä-kyə-ˈler-ə-tē How to pronounce binocular (audio)
-ˈla-rə-, 
bə-
noun
binocularly
bī-ˈnä-kyə-lər-lē How to pronounce binocular (audio)
bə-
adverb

binocular

2 of 2

noun

bin·​oc·​u·​lar bə-ˈnä-kyə-lər How to pronounce binocular (audio) bī- How to pronounce binocular (audio)
1
: a binocular optical instrument
2
: a handheld optical instrument composed of two telescopes and a focusing device and usually having prisms to increase magnifying ability
—usually plural

Examples of binocular in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Adjective
Unlike the PongBot, which requires clip-on sensors to track you at the other end of the court, the S10 instead follows you with its binocular 4K vision. — New Atlas, 1 Aug. 2026 The region between Deneb and Altair may be my favorite casual binocular territory in the entire sky. — Jamie Carter, Space.com, 24 July 2026
Noun
The Reapers look awesome through cinematographer Erik Messerschmidt’s night-vision binoculars that make their skin glow an alien shade of green. — Amy Nicholson, Los Angeles Times, 28 Aug. 2026 Here are some tips The lunar eclipse is visible to the naked eye, and observers will not require any visual aids, such as telescopes or binoculars, to view it, according to Cappelluti. — Julia Gomez, USA Today, 27 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for binocular

Word History

First Known Use

Adjective

1679, in the meaning defined above

Noun

1861, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of binocular was in 1679

Rhymes for binocular

See All Rhymes for binocular

Browse Nearby Words

binocs
binocular
binocular rivalry
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Binocular.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/binocular. Accessed 1 Sep. 2026.

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Kids Definition

binocular

1 of 2 adjective
bin·​oc·​u·​lar bī-ˈnäk-yə-lər How to pronounce binocular (audio)
bə-
: of, relating to, using, or adapted to the use of both eyes
binocular vision

binocular

2 of 2 noun
bin·​oc·​u·​lar bə-ˈnäk-yə-lər How to pronounce binocular (audio)
bī-
1
: a binocular optical instrument
2
: a handheld instrument for seeing at a distance that consists of two telescopes, a focusing device, and usually prisms
—usually used in plural
a pair of binoculars

Medical Definition

binocular

1 of 2 adjective
bin·​oc·​u·​lar bī-ˈnäk-yə-lər, bə- How to pronounce binocular (audio)
: of, relating to, using, or adapted to the use of both eyes
binocular vision
a binocular microscope
binocularly
bī-ˈnäk-yə-lər-lē, bə- How to pronounce binocular (audio)
adverb

binocular

2 of 2 noun
bin·​oc·​u·​lar bə-ˈnäk-yə-lər, bī- How to pronounce binocular (audio)
: a binocular optical instrument

More from Merriam-Webster on binocular

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about binocular

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
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