parallax

noun

par·​al·​lax ˈper-ə-ˌlaks How to pronounce parallax (audio)
ˈpa-rə-
: the apparent displacement or the difference in apparent direction of an object as seen from two different points not on a straight line with the object
especially : the angular difference in direction of a celestial body as measured from two points on the earth's orbit

Examples of parallax in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web The pen is exceptionally accurate, with no discernible parallax issues. PCMAG, 26 Jan. 2024 To measure distances nearby, astronomers use the parallax method. Liz Kruesi, Discover Magazine, 23 Sep. 2016 The institute attracts people who are far more comfortable talking about stellar parallaxes or maintaining century-old gears than schmoozing with donors or generating buzz. Corinne Purtill, Los Angeles Times, 3 Oct. 2023 Image: Wacom The Wacom One 12 and Wacom One 13 touch pen display tablets are equipped with 11.6-inch and 13.3-inch glass screens, respectively, which are specially bonded to reduce parallax (that gap between the stylus nib and the cursor). Jess Weatherbed, The Verge, 10 Aug. 2023 With Gaia, astronomers have measured the distance of a few hundred of these types of varying-brightness stars using parallax. Liz Kruesi, Discover Magazine, 23 Sep. 2016 Thankfully, Hansen says there are more than a few ways to trick our brain into creating parallax. Matt Crisara, Popular Mechanics, 18 July 2023 James Bradley, working in the 1720s, might offer a better starting point for serious work on attempting to observe parallax. Jeffrey Wilkerson, Discover Magazine, 25 Feb. 2016 During the competition, the robot’s head could be seen shifting from side to side as the operator used parallax to understand how far away objects were. IEEE Spectrum, 16 Apr. 2023

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'parallax.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle French parallaxe, from Greek parallaxis, from parallassein to change, from para- + allassein to change, from allos other

First Known Use

1580, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of parallax was in 1580

Dictionary Entries Near parallax

Cite this Entry

“Parallax.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/parallax. Accessed 29 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

parallax

noun
par·​al·​lax ˈpar-ə-ˌlaks How to pronounce parallax (audio)
: the apparent shift in position of an object as seen from two different points not on a straight line with the object

Medical Definition

parallax

noun
par·​al·​lax ˈpar-ə-ˌlaks How to pronounce parallax (audio)
: the apparent displacement or the difference in apparent direction of an object as seen from two different points not on a straight line with the object
motion parallax governs the way objects appear to move when the eyes or head are shiftedEdmund Andrews

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