binocular: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C1Technical / Everyday
Quick answer
What does “binocular” mean?
Relating to, involving, or designed for the use of both eyes simultaneously.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
Relating to, involving, or designed for the use of both eyes simultaneously.
An optical instrument, typically a pair of small telescopes mounted side-by-side and aligned to point in the same direction, allowing for stereoscopic vision and magnified viewing of distant objects.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling and pronunciation are consistent.
Connotations
Neutral technical term; associated with birdwatching, hunting, sports events, military use, and general sightseeing.
Frequency
Slightly more common in everyday British English due to cultural prevalence of birdwatching, but equally understood in all varieties.
Grammar
How to Use “binocular” in a Sentence
look through (the) binocularsuse binoculars to [verb]with the naked eye/binocularsa pair of binocularsVocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “binocular” in a Sentence
adjective
British English
- The owl's binocular vision allows for precise depth perception.
- They conducted a binocular rivalry experiment.
American English
- Binocular disparity is key to 3D perception.
- The device provides a stable binocular field.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Rare. Might appear in contexts of optics manufacturing or retail.
Academic
Common in neuroscience (binocular vision), optics, physics, and biology (ornithology, zoology).
Everyday
Common for describing the device used for watching wildlife, sports, or scenic views.
Technical
Precise term in optics and physiology for apparatus or processes involving both eyes.
Vocabulary
Synonyms of “binocular”
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms of “binocular”
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “binocular”
- Using it as a singular countable noun ("I have a binocular"). Correct: "I have a pair of binoculars" or "I have binoculars."
- Misspelling as 'binoculers' or 'binoculares'.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
As a noun referring to the optical device, it is almost always plural: 'binoculars'. The singular form 'binocular' is used only as a technical adjective (e.g., binocular vision).
Binoculars are two parallel telescopes (one for each eye) providing a three-dimensional, magnified view. A telescope is a single-tube instrument, often more powerful, used primarily in astronomy.
No. The correct phrasing is 'a pair of binoculars', treating it as a plural noun. For example, 'My pair of binoculars is heavy' (singular verb agreeing with 'pair').
It describes the magnification and lens size. '10x' means objects appear 10 times closer. '50' is the diameter of the objective lenses in millimetres, affecting light-gathering ability and field of view.
Relating to, involving, or designed for the use of both eyes simultaneously.
Binocular is usually technical / everyday in register.
Binocular: in British English it is pronounced /bɪˈnɒk.jə.lər/, and in American English it is pronounced /bəˈnɑː.kjə.lɚ/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “Put your binoculars on (figurative: look closely)”
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think 'bi-' (two) + 'ocular' (relating to the eye) = for two eyes.
Conceptual Metaphor
VISION IS A TOOL (e.g., "He used his binoculars to get a clearer perspective on the situation.").
Practice
Quiz
Which sentence uses 'binocular' correctly?