bifocal
1 of 2adjective
bi·fo·cal ˈbī-ˌfō-kəl 
1
: having two focal lengths
2
: having one part that corrects for near vision and one for distant vision
a bifocal eyeglass lens
bifocal
2 of 2noun
1
bifocals plural : eyeglasses with bifocal lenses
2
: a bifocal glass or lens
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the Web
Fortune, 12 Jan. 2022 Patients who need help focusing at different distances (say, were nearsighted but were also developing presbyopia) were once relegated to bifocal glasses or the more seamless progressive lenses. Alexandra Ossola, Quartz, 15 Sep. 2021 Progressive or bifocal lenses are also available for an additional charge (from $99). Nishka Dhawan, USA TODAY, 6 May 2021 One came in his account of creating bifocal eyeglasses. John Wilmerding, WSJ, 28 June 2019 Adair wore his bifocal sunglasses and a navy blue baseball cap. Jeff Maysh, Los Angeles Magazine, 22 Aug. 2017 Each time, my cloudy natural lens was replaced with an artificial, bifocal one. Gayle Carline, Orange County Register, 6 Jan. 2017 Frank Stewart, The Mercury News, 30 Aug. 2019 Through his bifocals, Trout looks aghast at that news. Stephanie Apstein, SI.com, 9 July 2019 In the film, Khan blames Kirk for the death of his wife and seeks to destroy the Enterprise’s enterprising leader, who’s now a Starfleet admiral contemplating bifocals. René A. Guzman, San Antonio Express-News, 19 June 2018 Even so, in the Wayne County of the future, silver hair and bifocals will proliferate. Bill Laitner, Detroit Free Press, 8 June 2018 Besides his contribution to science, Franklin is known for inventing the Franklin stove, bifocals and the glass armonica, Davis said. Rosemarie Dowell, OrlandoSentinel.com, 31 Jan. 2018 But the days of popping reading glasses on and off or constantly shifting your gaze through bifocals may be numbered. Emily Matchar, Smithsonian, 9 Feb. 2017 Strumming a shiny acoustic guitar, the winsome memaw launches into her parody rendition, weaving hearing aids, retirement, RVs, bifocals and more into the three-minute lyrical journey. Southern Living, 12 Oct. 2017 Mr. Marshall, a soft-spoken, professorial man with a salt-and-pepper beard and bifocals hanging around his neck, doesn’t carry himself like a firebrand. Randy Kennedy, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2016 See More
Adjective
Some other bifocal contact lenses, prescribed off-label, work about as well as the new CooperVision product, Walline’s research has found. Fortune, 12 Jan. 2022 Patients who need help focusing at different distances (say, were nearsighted but were also developing presbyopia) were once relegated to bifocal glasses or the more seamless progressive lenses. Alexandra Ossola, Quartz, 15 Sep. 2021 Progressive or bifocal lenses are also available for an additional charge (from $99). Nishka Dhawan, USA TODAY, 6 May 2021 One came in his account of creating bifocal eyeglasses. John Wilmerding, WSJ, 28 June 2019 Adair wore his bifocal sunglasses and a navy blue baseball cap. Jeff Maysh, Los Angeles Magazine, 22 Aug. 2017 Each time, my cloudy natural lens was replaced with an artificial, bifocal one. Gayle Carline, Orange County Register, 6 Jan. 2017 Noun
Minnie Bottoms wears old bifocals that make her mix up kings and jacks, often to her opponents’ dismay. Frank Stewart, The Mercury News, 30 Aug. 2019 Through his bifocals, Trout looks aghast at that news. Stephanie Apstein, SI.com, 9 July 2019 In the film, Khan blames Kirk for the death of his wife and seeks to destroy the Enterprise’s enterprising leader, who’s now a Starfleet admiral contemplating bifocals. René A. Guzman, San Antonio Express-News, 19 June 2018 Even so, in the Wayne County of the future, silver hair and bifocals will proliferate. Bill Laitner, Detroit Free Press, 8 June 2018 Besides his contribution to science, Franklin is known for inventing the Franklin stove, bifocals and the glass armonica, Davis said. Rosemarie Dowell, OrlandoSentinel.com, 31 Jan. 2018 But the days of popping reading glasses on and off or constantly shifting your gaze through bifocals may be numbered. Emily Matchar, Smithsonian, 9 Feb. 2017 Strumming a shiny acoustic guitar, the winsome memaw launches into her parody rendition, weaving hearing aids, retirement, RVs, bifocals and more into the three-minute lyrical journey. Southern Living, 12 Oct. 2017 Mr. Marshall, a soft-spoken, professorial man with a salt-and-pepper beard and bifocals hanging around his neck, doesn’t carry himself like a firebrand. Randy Kennedy, New York Times, 9 Sep. 2016 See More Word History
Etymology
Adjective
International Scientific Vocabulary
First Known Use
Adjective
1826, in the meaning defined at sense 2
Noun
1896, in the meaning defined at sense 1
Medical Definition
bifocal 1 of 2
adjective
bi·fo·cal (ˈ)bī-ˈfō-kəl
1
: having two focal lengths
2
: having one part that corrects for near vision and one for distant vision
a bifocal eyeglass lens
bifocal
2 of 2noun
1
: a bifocal glass or lens
2
bifocals plural : eyeglasses with bifocal lenses