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
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Noun
Everyone who observed the partial phases of this eclipse — and for those outside the path of totality, that's the entire event — needed to wear solar eclipse glasses while cameras, telescopes and binoculars needed solar filters placed in front of their lenses. Daisy Dobrijevic, Space.com, 8 Feb. 2025 Just why the world needs a new, $4 billion telescope only four years after the launch of the $10 billion James Webb telescope is a question that actually has an easy answer. Jeffrey Kluger/greenbelt, TIME, 8 Feb. 2025
Verb
The sil-nylon fabric pitches directly over and around the bike, supported by two telescoping side poles, the saddle and a front frame component at the foot of the lounger. New Atlas, 4 Feb. 2025 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, 30 Jan. 2025 See all Example Sentences for telescope 

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 16 Feb. 2025.

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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