periscope

noun

peri·​scope ˈper-ə-ˌskōp How to pronounce periscope (audio)
: a tubular optical instrument containing lenses and mirrors by which an observer obtains an otherwise obstructed field of view

Illustration of periscope

Illustration of periscope

Examples of periscope in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web All the major lenses—main, wide-angle, and the rectangular periscope zoom lens—live in one big cutout now. Ron Amadeo, Ars Technica, 8 Sep. 2023 Image: OnePlus In terms of cameras, the OnePlus 12 has a triple rear setup consisting of a 50-megapixel main, a 64-megapixel periscope telephoto with a 3x optical zoom, and a 48-megapixel ultrawide. Jon Porter, The Verge, 5 Dec. 2023 This phone's claim to fame is having two periscope camera lenses on the back. Ron Amadeo, Ars Technica, 8 Jan. 2024 The big new camera change here is the addition of a periscope zoom camera exclusively for the iPhone 15 Pro Max model. Julian Chokkattu, WIRED, 12 Sep. 2023 Interestingly, the Pixel 8 also has $200 worth of camera parts despite having one less camera by skipping the complicated periscope zoom lens. Ron Amadeo, Ars Technica, 2 Jan. 2024 The zoom lens is kind of a weird downgrade—older Ultra models had a 10x optical zoom via a periscope lens, and this one doesn't. Ron Amadeo, Ars Technica, 17 Jan. 2024 Why does the iPhone need a periscope telephoto lens? Chris Smith, BGR, 14 July 2022 The second periscope lens offers a 6x optical zoom with a 1/2.51-inch sensor. Jon Porter, The Verge, 8 Jan. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'periscope.' 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

International Scientific Vocabulary

First Known Use

1879, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of periscope was in 1879

Dictionary Entries Near periscope

Cite this Entry

“Periscope.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/periscope. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

periscope

noun
peri·​scope ˈper-ə-ˌskōp How to pronounce periscope (audio)
: an instrument containing lenses and mirrors by which an observer (as on a submerged submarine) can get a view that would otherwise be blocked
periscopic
ˌper-ə-ˈskäp-ik
adjective

More from Merriam-Webster on periscope

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