fovea

noun

fo·​vea ˈfō-vē-ə How to pronounce fovea (audio)
plural foveae ˈfō-vē-ˌē How to pronounce fovea (audio) -vē-ˌī How to pronounce fovea (audio)
1
: a small fossa
2
: a small depression in the center of the macula (see macula sense 2b) that contains only cones and constitutes the area of maximum visual acuity and color discrimination see eye illustration
foveal
ˈfō-vē-əl How to pronounce fovea (audio)
adjective
foveate
ˈfō-vē-ˌāt How to pronounce fovea (audio) -ət How to pronounce fovea (audio)
adjective

Examples of fovea in a Sentence

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.
The images captured by the device are combined to create a detailed 3D model of your inner eye, highlighting the intricate structures such as the fovea, optic nerve, and Henle fibers. — William A. Haseltine, Forbes, 11 Feb. 2024 There are no rods in the fovea. — Gabriel A. Silva, Forbes, 20 May 2021

Word History

Etymology

New Latin, from Latin, pit

First Known Use

1849, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of fovea was in 1849

Phrases Containing fovea

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Cite this Entry

“Fovea.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/fovea. Accessed 25 Mar. 2025.

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Kids Definition

fovea

noun
fo·​vea ˈfō-vē-ə How to pronounce fovea (audio)
plural foveae -vē-ˌē How to pronounce fovea (audio)
-vē-ˌī
: an area in the middle of the retina that gives the sharpest vision of any part of the retina and contains only cones

Medical Definition

fovea

noun
fo·​vea ˈfō-vē-ə How to pronounce fovea (audio)
plural foveae -vē-ˌē How to pronounce fovea (audio) -vē-ˌī How to pronounce fovea (audio)
1
: a small fossa
2
or fovea centralis
-sen-ˈtral-əs, -ˈträl-, -ˈtrāl-
 : a small depression in the center of the macula that contains only cones and constitutes the area of maximum visual acuity
foveal
-vē-əl How to pronounce fovea (audio)
adjective
foveate
-vē-ˌāt How to pronounce fovea (audio) -ət How to pronounce fovea (audio)
adjective
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