collimate: meaning, definition, pronunciation and examples
C2Technical
Quick answer
What does “collimate” mean?
To make (rays of light, particles, or a beam) parallel.
Audio
Pronunciation
Definition
Meaning and Definition
To make (rays of light, particles, or a beam) parallel.
To align or adjust the line of sight of an optical instrument (like a telescope, microscope, or surveying equipment) for accurate observation.
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
No significant difference in meaning or usage. Spelling and pronunciation are consistent.
Connotations
None beyond its technical precision.
Frequency
Equally rare in both varieties, confined to technical fields.
Grammar
How to Use “collimate” in a Sentence
[Verb] + [Object] (e.g., collimate the laser)[Verb] + [Object] + [Adverbial] (e.g., collimate the telescope precisely)Vocabulary
Collocations
Examples
Examples of “collimate” in a Sentence
verb
British English
- You must collimate the telescope's finderscope with the main tube before observing.
- The technician will collimate the laser to ensure a straight cutting path.
American English
- First, collimate the rifle scope using the adjustment knobs.
- The lab procedure requires us to collimate the light source with the slit.
adjective
British English
- The device uses a collimated beam for highly accurate measurements.
- Collimated light is essential for this interferometry experiment.
American English
- A collimated laser pointer is less prone to beam divergence over distance.
- The system requires a collimated light source as its input.
Usage
Meaning in Context
Business
Virtually never used.
Academic
Used in physics, astronomy, and engineering papers and labs.
Everyday
Extremely rare; would be unknown to most general speakers.
Technical
Core term in optics, laser technology, radiology (e.g., collimating an X-ray beam), and surveying.
Watch out
Common Mistakes When Using “collimate”
- Using 'calibrate' instead of 'collimate'. (Calibration is about measurement accuracy; collimation is about beam parallelism.)
- Pronouncing it as /koʊˈlaɪmeɪt/ (like 'collide'). Correct first syllable is /ˈkɒl/ or /ˈkɑːl/.
- Using it in non-technical contexts where 'align' or 'adjust' would be appropriate.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No, it is a specialised technical term used primarily in optics, physics, astronomy, and engineering. It is rare in everyday language.
The main noun forms are 'collimation' (the process or result of collimating) and 'collimator' (a device used to collimate rays).
Yes, while most common for light/optical beams, it can also refer to making particle beams (e.g., electron beams) parallel or aligning the line of sight in any instrument.
Collimated light is light whose rays are parallel and therefore do not spread out or converge significantly as they travel. A laser beam is a good example of highly collimated light.
Collimate is usually technical in register.
Collimate: in British English it is pronounced /ˈkɒlɪmeɪt/, and in American English it is pronounced /ˈkɑːləˌmeɪt/. Tap the audio buttons above to hear it.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
Think of 'COLLIMATE' as making light lines 'COLLIDE' in a straight, parallel formation, but instead of clashing, they run side-by-side. 'COLLI-' like 'collinear' (points on the same line).
Conceptual Metaphor
ALIGNMENT IS PRECISION / PARALLELISM IS ORDER.
Practice
Quiz
In which field is the verb 'to collimate' MOST specifically and commonly used?