focus

noun
fo·cus
/ˈfəʊ̯.kəs/

A point at which reflected or refracted rays of light converge.

Example

“The heat of sunlight at the focus of a magnifying glass can easily set dry leaves on fire.”

Other meanings

A point of a conic at which rays reflected from a curve or surface converge.
The fact of the convergence of light on the photographic medium.
“Unfortunately, the license plate is out of focus in this image.”

Synonyms

focal point

Related words

apofocus
autofocus
bifocus
cofocus
disfocus
deep focus
focus-group
focus group
focus hunting
focus lamp
focus lantern
focusless

Example sentences

“Do you focus on progress or perfection?”
Tatoeba · Igider · CC0
“We focus on solutions, not problems.”
Tatoeba · Miktsoanit · CC0

Word history

From Latin "focus" (hearth, fireplace).

Where this comes from

This definition is adapted from “focus” on Wiktionary, by its contributors; example sentences are from Tatoeba, credited to their authors above; related-word lists use Open English WordNet (CC BY 4.0, based on Princeton WordNet), published under CC BY-SA 4.0. This page is published under the same licence.