focal point

noun

Synonyms of focal pointnext
1
: focus sense 4a
2
: focus sense 1a

Examples of focal point in a Sentence

This port was the focal point of trade two centuries ago.
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.
Rangel’s success story is a focal point of the South Miami-Dade business community, where business owners want to develop a talent pipeline to fill jobs and make money. — Michael Butler, Miami Herald, 29 Aug. 2026 But the organization and his teammates continue to view him as a focal point of its offense. — Peter Chawaga, Forbes.com, 29 Aug. 2026 Ornamental Grasses Tall ornamental grasses, preferably native ones such as switchgrass, create a focal point in your landscape and mimic the movement and sound of a water feature. — Nadia Hassani, The Spruce, 29 Aug. 2026 Denim is always a popular focal point for fall and back-to-school campaign. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 28 Aug. 2026 See All Example Sentences for focal point

Word History

First Known Use

1692, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of focal point was in 1692

Rhymes for focal point

See All Rhymes for focal point

Browse Nearby Words

focal-plane shutter
focal point
focal ratio
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Focal point.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/focal%20point. Accessed 3 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

focal point

noun
: focus entry 1 sense 1

Medical Definition

focal point

noun
: focus sense 1a

More from Merriam-Webster on focal point

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for focal point

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about focal point

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
skateboard-dog-hat
Wordmaxxing Slang Quiz Give your vocabulary a glow up by getting sendy w...
See All