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 European Space Agency telescope is designed to make a 3D map of the universe by looking at billions of galaxies up to 10 billion light years away across one third of the sky. —Richard Tribou, Orlando Sentinel, 27 Jan. 2025

More sensitive telescopes coming online in the future, like the Vera Rubin Observatory on Earth (in Chile) and the NEO Surveyor in space, will be able to detect more asteroids in general, including small, faint rocks ejected by the moon. —Ashley Strickland, CNN, 27 Jan. 2025

Verb

The house next to the Ritz-Carlton has an elevator, two guest casitas, Taj Mahal quartzite countertops, a caterer’s kitchen, telescoping sliding-glass doors to the pool, a Zen waterfall and a fire pit. —Catherine Reagor, The Arizona Republic, 6 Dec. 2024

The structure is made from wood and features telescoping carbon-fiber tubes that allow for easy expansion and retraction. —Kurt Knutsson, Cyberguy Report, Fox News, 20 Dec. 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