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
Synonyms
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
Nicole Acevedo, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024
Overnights at this Airbnb include free breakfast, in-dome telescopes, and ensuite bathrooms.
—Stephanie Vermillion, Outside Online, 6 Nov. 2024
Susmita Baral, Travel + Leisure, 2 Oct. 2024
Some vacuum cleaners come with one or more extension wands, while others include one which has a telescoping design and its length can be adjusted.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Sep. 2024
See all Example Sentences for telescope 
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Noun
The telescope was built in the 1960s with money from the Defense Department amid a push to develop anti-ballistic missile defenses.
—Nicole Acevedo, NBC News, 13 Nov. 2024
Overnights at this Airbnb include free breakfast, in-dome telescopes, and ensuite bathrooms.
—Stephanie Vermillion, Outside Online, 6 Nov. 2024
Verb
These include the Sea View Room, which offers marina views; the Sea View Suite, which has a living room, bedroom, and two bathrooms; and the Whale Watching Room, with a balcony and telescope to look for whales.
—Susmita Baral, Travel + Leisure, 2 Oct. 2024
Some vacuum cleaners come with one or more extension wands, while others include one which has a telescoping design and its length can be adjusted.
—Maria Sabella, Better Homes & Gardens, 30 Sep. 2024
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 28 Nov. 2024.
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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