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
Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 12 Aug. 2024
Famously, astronomers used it to discover a comet in 2020, which was named NEOWISE after the telescope.
—Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Aug. 2024
Elizabeth Hutchison Hicklin, Southern Living, 4 Aug. 2024
Eager to have the house ready by spring of this year, the couple telescoped the timeline.
—Abigail Stone, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for telescope 
Noun
And astronomers even say amateur astronomers should be able to fit both planets in the view of a telescope, according to EarthSky.
—Eric Lagatta, USA TODAY, 12 Aug. 2024
Famously, astronomers used it to discover a comet in 2020, which was named NEOWISE after the telescope.
—Elizabeth Gamillo, Smithsonian Magazine, 12 Aug. 2024
Verb
The Hardie team recommends using a simple garden hose and a soft cloth or telescoping brush to remove most dirt and grime.
—Elizabeth Hutchison Hicklin, Southern Living, 4 Aug. 2024
Eager to have the house ready by spring of this year, the couple telescoped the timeline.
—Abigail Stone, The Hollywood Reporter, 25 July 2024
See all Example Sentences for telescope
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'telescope.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
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Cite this Entry
“Telescope.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/telescope. Accessed 19 Aug. 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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