aperture
noun
ap·er·ture
ˈa-pər-ˌchu̇r 
ˈa-pə-,
-chər,
-ˌtyu̇r,
-ˌtu̇r
1
: an opening or open space : hole
entered the cave through a narrow aperture
2
a
: the opening in a photographic lens that admits the light
b
: the diameter of the stop in an optical system that determines the diameter of the bundle of rays traversing the instrument
c
: the diameter of the objective lens or mirror of a telescope
Examples of aperture in a Sentence
We entered the cave through a narrow aperture.
The photograph was taken using a fast shutter speed and a large aperture.
Recent Examples on the Web
The aperture doesn't close down smaller than f/16 in this instance.
—
PCMAG, 20 Apr. 2024
For each higher-order mode, the laser effectively operates as a combination of smaller emitters whose narrower apertures cause the beam to diverge rapidly.
—Susumu Noda, IEEE Spectrum, 14 Apr. 2024
There’s also a floating telephoto lens with an f/1.8 aperture that offers 3.2x optical zoom, and a periscope telephoto lens with an f/2.5 aperture that offers 5x optical zoom.
—Julian Chokkattu Simon Hill, WIRED, 26 Feb. 2024
To calculate the correct power for a scene, divide the Guide Number by the aperture value.
—PCMAG, 11 Apr. 2024
So the split between the United States and Israel that is obvious over Rafah in the moment, imminent over Lebanon for the spring and summer, and seemingly irreconcilable over annexation versus Palestinian independence in the long term becomes all the more cavernous as the aperture widens.
—Hussein Ibish, The Atlantic, 5 Apr. 2024
The Harlem Renaissance reshaped the landscape of American culture, and for Black artists around the globe the aperture of what was possible widened.
Invite your friends.
—Veronica Chambers, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2024
So, there are those who can afford care or use long-term care insurance, there are those dependent on the government, and then there is the aperture—people who don’t qualify for assistance and don’t have the finances to pay for help.
—Peter Ross, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
At the very least, the iPhone 15 Pro’s primary camera has a wider aperture than the iPhone 14 Pro.
—Florence Ion / Gizmodo, Quartz, 9 Mar. 2024
PCMAG, 20 Apr. 2024
For each higher-order mode, the laser effectively operates as a combination of smaller emitters whose narrower apertures cause the beam to diverge rapidly.
—Susumu Noda, IEEE Spectrum, 14 Apr. 2024
There’s also a floating telephoto lens with an f/1.8 aperture that offers 3.2x optical zoom, and a periscope telephoto lens with an f/2.5 aperture that offers 5x optical zoom.
—Julian Chokkattu Simon Hill, WIRED, 26 Feb. 2024
To calculate the correct power for a scene, divide the Guide Number by the aperture value.
—PCMAG, 11 Apr. 2024
So the split between the United States and Israel that is obvious over Rafah in the moment, imminent over Lebanon for the spring and summer, and seemingly irreconcilable over annexation versus Palestinian independence in the long term becomes all the more cavernous as the aperture widens.
—Hussein Ibish, The Atlantic, 5 Apr. 2024
The Harlem Renaissance reshaped the landscape of American culture, and for Black artists around the globe the aperture of what was possible widened.
Invite your friends.
—Veronica Chambers, New York Times, 5 Apr. 2024
So, there are those who can afford care or use long-term care insurance, there are those dependent on the government, and then there is the aperture—people who don’t qualify for assistance and don’t have the finances to pay for help.
—Peter Ross, Forbes, 28 Mar. 2024
At the very least, the iPhone 15 Pro’s primary camera has a wider aperture than the iPhone 14 Pro.
—Florence Ion / Gizmodo, Quartz, 9 Mar. 2024
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'aperture.' 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 aperture
Cite this Entry
“Aperture.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/aperture. Accessed 2 May. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
aperture
noun
ap·er·ture
ˈap-ə(r)-ˌchu̇(ə)r
-chər
1
: an opening or open space : hole
2
a
: the opening in a camera lens that allows light through
b
: the diameter of the opening in a camera lens
Medical Definition
aperture
noun
ap·er·ture
ˈap-ə(r)-ˌchu̇(ə)r, -chər, -ˌt(y)u̇(ə)r
1
: an opening or open space
2
: the diameter of the stop in an optical system that determines the diameter of the bundle of rays traversing the instrument
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