telescope

1 of 2

noun

tele·​scope ˈte-lə-ˌskōp 

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

: radio telescope

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

: compress, condense

Synonyms

Verb

• capsule
• capsulize
• collapse
• compact
• compress
• condense
• constrict
• constringe
• contract
• narrow (down)
• squeeze

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

The telescope will have the largest digital camera ever built, the LSST. —Emilie Le Beau Lucchesi, Discover Magazine, 6 Nov. 2024

The Webb telescope trained its awesome eye on it for 14 hours total, spread across three months. —Ross Andersen, The Atlantic, 5 Nov. 2024

Verb

These include the Sea View Room, which offers marina views; the Sea View Suite, which has a living room, bedroom, and two bathrooms; and the Whale Watching Room, with a balcony and telescope to look for whales. —Susmita Baral, Travel + Leisure, 2 Oct. 2024

Some vacuum cleaners come with one or more extension wands, while others include one which has a telescoping design and its length can be adjusted. —Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Sep. 2024

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

Phrases Containing telescope

• Cassegrainian telescope
• Cassegrain telescope
• radio telescope
• reflecting telescope
• refracting telescope

Kids Definition

telescope

1 of 2 noun

tele·​scope ˈtel-ə-ˌskōp 

: 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