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
The therapy is simple to administer, using off-the-shelf optical prisms over 10 therapy sessions of 20 minutes each.
—
Discover Magazine, 18 July 2024
But the claim is not true if viewed through the prism of many of the common metrics used to judge economic performance.
—Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 16 July 2024
Rounding out the product release is the fuschia prism cold cup, which comes in a 24-ounce ($29) and 16-ounce ($24) size.
—Antonia Debianchi, Peoplemag, 25 June 2024
The light is then separated at different angles within the raindrops, creating a prism of multiple colors, according to The Weather Channel.
—Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 29 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for prism 
Discover Magazine, 18 July 2024
But the claim is not true if viewed through the prism of many of the common metrics used to judge economic performance.
—Caitlin Yilek, CBS News, 16 July 2024
Rounding out the product release is the fuschia prism cold cup, which comes in a 24-ounce ($29) and 16-ounce ($24) size.
—Antonia Debianchi, Peoplemag, 25 June 2024
The light is then separated at different angles within the raindrops, creating a prism of multiple colors, according to The Weather Channel.
—Amaris Encinas, USA TODAY, 29 May 2024
See all Example Sentences for prism
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'prism.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near prism
Cite this Entry
“Prism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prism. Accessed 18 Aug. 2024.
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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