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Definition of binoculars

binoculars

/bəˈnɑːkjəlɚz/
bi · noc · u · lars
Adverb:binocularly
•
Plural:binoculars
•
Adjective:binocular
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binoculars Lexical Profile

binoculars Game Scores & Validity

• noun

1

An optical instrument consisting of two small telescopes mounted side by side, used to magnify distant objects for viewing with both eyes.

Example

"She adjusted the focus on her binoculars to get a better look at the rare bird perched high in the canopy."

Synonyms
View all synonyms for binoculars

Word Nuance & Usage

The word 'binoculars' is a plural noun (plurale tantum); a single optical instrument is grammatically treated as plural and typically referred to as 'a pair of binoculars'.

• Nearby Words

bin
binder
bindweed
binoculars
binturong
biobio
birch

Word Origin & Etymology

Derived from the Latin 'bini' (two by two) and 'oculus' (eye), with the English suffix '-s' added. It emerged in the late 19th century as a shortened form of the phrase 'binocular glasses'.

Usage Trend

Historical frequency of usage in published text.

180019102020
Data source: Google Books Ngram Viewer

Cite this Entry

Wordmom. (2026). Definition of Binoculars. In Wordmom Dictionary. Retrieved Oct 16, 2026, from https://wordmom.com/dictionary/binoculars
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