1
: a polyhedron with two polygonal faces lying in parallel planes and with the other faces parallelograms
2
a
: a transparent body that is bounded in part by two nonparallel plane faces and is used to refract or disperse a beam of light
b
: a prism-shaped decorative glass luster
3
: a crystal form whose faces are parallel to one axis
especially
: one whose faces are parallel to the vertical axis
4
: a medium that distorts, slants, or colors whatever is viewed through it
Examples of prism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Russia — a longtime U.S. adversary, though that status seems to be changing under President Donald Trump — is planning operations in the Artic through the prism of climate change.
—
Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2025
To work successfully, individuals need a combination of personal abilities - applied through the prism of their own personalities - and also the life and technical skills required to navigate unfamiliar situations.
—Trevor Clawson, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
Also worth seeing: Jonathan Demme’s 2004 remake, which revisits the story through a post-9/11 prism.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2025
Bright white sunlight contains all of the colors of the visible spectrum—colors that break apart and spill out when the light passes through a prism or through the sky after a storm, producing a dazzling rainbow.
—Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prism
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Michael Smolens, San Diego Union-Tribune, 4 Apr. 2025
To work successfully, individuals need a combination of personal abilities - applied through the prism of their own personalities - and also the life and technical skills required to navigate unfamiliar situations.
—Trevor Clawson, Forbes, 23 Mar. 2025
Also worth seeing: Jonathan Demme’s 2004 remake, which revisits the story through a post-9/11 prism.
—Keith Phipps, Vulture, 19 Mar. 2025
Bright white sunlight contains all of the colors of the visible spectrum—colors that break apart and spill out when the light passes through a prism or through the sky after a storm, producing a dazzling rainbow.
—Jeffrey Kluger, TIME, 14 Mar. 2025
See All Example Sentences for prism
Cite this Entry
“Prism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prism. Accessed 10 Apr. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
prism
noun1
: a polyhedron with two opposite ends that are parallel polygons and faces that are each parallelograms
2
: a transparent object that usually has three sides and bends light so that it breaks up into rainbow colors
Medical Definition
prism
noun1
: a polyhedron with two polygonal faces lying in parallel planes and with the other faces parallelograms
2
: a transparent body that is bounded in part by two nonparallel plane faces and is used to refract or disperse a beam of light
3
: a crystal form whose faces are parallel to one axis
especially
: one whose faces are parallel to the vertical axis
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