tele·scope
ˈte-lə-ˌskōp 
often attributive
1
2
: any of various tubular magnifying optical instruments
3
telescoped; telescoping
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
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
Ashley Strickland, CNN, 19 Feb. 2025
As a planet transits, starlight pours through its atmosphere, allowing telescopes to collect light that’s been filtered through it.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 6 Feb. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for telescope
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Noun
Astronomers are using a multitude of telescopes to observe the space rock to understand its size and orbit, which will likely reveal lower chances of a 2032 collision than what the current data shows.
—Ashley Strickland, CNN, 19 Feb. 2025
As a planet transits, starlight pours through its atmosphere, allowing telescopes to collect light that’s been filtered through it.
—Jamie Carter, Forbes, 19 Feb. 2025
Verb
From there, Harrison telescopes forward in time via a series of vignettes, as actors take on multiple roles across the years.
—Jackson McHenry, Vulture, 6 Feb. 2025
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
See All Example Sentences for telescope
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Cite this Entry
“Telescope.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/telescope. Accessed 1 Mar. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
telescope
1 of 2 noun
tele·scope
ˈtel-ə-ˌskōp
: 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
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