telescope

1 of 2

noun

tele·​scope ˈte-lə-ˌskōp How to pronounce telescope (audio)
often attributive
1
: a usually tubular optical instrument for viewing distant objects by means of the refraction of light rays through a lens or the reflection of light rays by a concave mirror compare reflector, refractor
2
: any of various tubular magnifying optical instruments
3

telescope

2 of 2

verb

telescoped; telescoping

intransitive verb

1
: to become forced together lengthwise with one part entering another as the result of collision
2
: to slide or pass one within another like the cylindrical sections of a collapsible hand telescope
3
: to become compressed or condensed

transitive verb

1
: to cause to telescope
2

Examples of telescope in a Sentence

Noun The rings of Saturn can be seen through a telescope. Verb for dramatic purposes, the film telescopes the years over which the events occurred into a few short months
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Do not look through the telescope or binoculars directly at the sun. The Arizona Republic, 8 Mar. 2024 The telescope has found everything from a trio of millisecond pulsars from Messier 62 to the most massive neutron star yet discovered, PSR J0740+6620. Popular Science, 7 Mar. 2024 The hobbyists are more relaxed now and might move around, chat with friends or let newer astronomers look through their telescopes. Carlyn Kranking, Smithsonian Magazine, 7 Mar. 2024 Astronomers recently used a combination of special telescopes to image the center of M87 and the supermassive black hole that dwells there. Dean Regas, The Enquirer, 2 Mar. 2024 The telescope picked up on the signature of water molecules in one of the largest craters in the moon’s southern hemisphere in 2020. Ashley Strickland, CNN, 16 Feb. 2024 Such devices can be as simple as a disk affixed to a telescope that precisely blocks out the sun. Paul M. Sutter, Scientific American, 15 Feb. 2024 Secure Your Filter Most solar filters made for telescopes fit tightly on the front of the tube. Michael E. Bakich, Discover Magazine, 24 Feb. 2024 Odysseus is also carrying a camera built by students at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University, a prototype for a future moon telescope, and an art project by Jeff Koons. Laura Baisas, Popular Science, 22 Feb. 2024
Verb
Nowadays a lot of people use tenkara telescoping fly rods. Katie Hill, Outdoor Life, 28 Feb. 2024 Some are single-stage and others are two-stage, telescoping cylinders. Jeanne Huber, Washington Post, 26 Jan. 2024 Fronting the great room, there are telescoping glass walls that open directly onto the landscaped outdoor sanctuary—complete with a fireplace, dining area, kitchen, a large pool, spa, basketball hoop in the pool, grassy lawn, and sunset-facing views. Emma Reynolds, Robb Report, 23 Jan. 2024 Mobile cranes, like the ones used on the hangar, generally use a telescoping arm and can move around the job site. Nick Rosenberger, Idaho Statesman, 2 Feb. 2024 Keep in mind, while some telescoping loppers have multiple steps, this pick has just two length options. Jacquelene Amoquandoh, Better Homes & Gardens, 5 Oct. 2023 My recollection of their response — eyeballs telescoping out to knock over their pint glasses, a horn bellowing ah-OOOOO-gah! — is probably also somewhat exaggerated. M. Carrie Allan, Washington Post, 23 Mar. 2023 There are also giant telescoping glass doors that not only flood the place with natural light but also retract to reveal panoramic views of the Miami skyline. Abby Montanez, Robb Report, 7 Nov. 2023 This is a conveniently compact flashlight with a durable build and a telescoping beam with multiple brightness settings. Jessica MacDonald, Travel + Leisure, 27 Oct. 2023

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

Noun

New Latin telescopium, from Greek tēleskopos farseeing, from tēle- tele- + skopos watcher; akin to Greek skopein to look — more at spy

First Known Use

Noun

1650, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

1866, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of telescope was in 1650

Dictionary Entries Near telescope

Cite this Entry

“Telescope.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/telescope. Accessed 18 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

telescope

1 of 2 noun
tele·​scope ˈtel-ə-ˌskōp How to pronounce telescope (audio)
: a tubular instrument for viewing distant objects (as objects in outer space) by focusing light rays with mirrors or lenses

telescope

2 of 2 verb
telescoped; telescoping
1
: to slide or cause to slide one within another like the cylindrical sections of a hand telescope
2
: to run together like the sections of a telescope

More from Merriam-Webster on telescope

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