focus

noun

fo·cus | \ ˈfō-kəs

plural foci\ ˈfō-ˌsī

also -ˌkī \ also focuses

Definition of focus

(Entry 1 of 2)

1a : a center of activity, attraction, or attention the focus of the meeting was drug abuse put immigration into focus as a hot topic for commentators

b : a point of concentration

2 : directed attention : emphasis The focus is on helping the homeless.

3a : direction sense 6c the team lost focus

b : a state or condition permitting clear perception or understanding tried to bring the issues into focus

c : adjustment for distinct vision also : the area that may be seen distinctly or resolved into a clear image

d : focal length

4a : a point at which rays (as of light, heat, or sound) converge or from which they diverge or appear to diverge specifically : the point where the geometrical lines or their prolongations conforming to the rays diverging from or converging toward another point intersect and give rise to an image after reflection by a mirror or refraction by a lens or optical system

b : a point of convergence (see convergence sense 1) of a beam of particles (such as electrons)

5 : one of the fixed points that with the corresponding directrix defines a conic section

6 : a localized area of disease or the chief site of a generalized disease or infection

7 : the place of origin of an earthquake or moonquake

in focus

: having or giving the proper sharpness of outline due to good focusing get the binoculars in focus

out of focus

: not in focus

focus

verb

focused also focussed; focusing also focussing

Definition of focus (Entry 2 of 2)

transitive verb

1 : to cause to be concentrated focused their attention on the most urgent problems

2a : to adjust the focus of (the eye, a lens, etc.) focus the telescope

b : to bring into focus The results of that research were focused for classroom presentation.

3 : to bring (something, such as light rays) to a focus : concentrate

intransitive verb

1 : to concentrate attention or effort focus on the most pressing needs

2 : to adjust one's eye or a camera to a particular range Newborn babies cannot focus for several months.

3 : to come to a focus : converge

Other Words from focus Synonyms Did You Know? More Example Sentences Learn More about focus

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Other Words from focus

Noun

focusless \ ˈfō-kəs-ləs

\ adjective

Verb

focusable \ ˈfō-kə-sə-bəl

\ adjective

focuser noun

Did You Know?

The Latin word focus meant “hearth, fireplace.” In the scientific Latin of the 17th century, the word is used to refer to the point at which rays of light refracted by a lens converge. Because rays of sunlight when directed by a magnifying glass can produce enough heat to ignite paper, a word meaning “fireplace” is quite appropriate as a metaphor to describe their convergence point. From this sense of focus have arisen extended senses such as “center of activity.”

Examples of focus in a Sentence

Noun

He's successful, but he feels that his life lacks focus. His life lacks a focus.

Verb

She has an amazing ability to focus for hours at a time. I wasn't able to focus the camera. I wasn't able to get the camera to focus.

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

Instead, the focus should be on egregious instances in which teams are placed at competitive disadvantages. — Jon Wilner, The Mercury News, "UCLA preview: Major progress under Chip Kelly in Year Two as brutal schedule awaits," 23 Aug. 2019 Instead, the focus should be on egregious instances in which teams are placed at competitive disadvantages. — Jon Wilner, The Denver Post, "Pac-12 football previews: Chip Kelly rebuild at UCLA takes hold amid brutal schedule," 23 Aug. 2019 Elizabeth Warren, for instance, wants the focus of trade to be on labor, the environment, and, ironically, consumers. — Michael Tanner, National Review, "Trump’s Trade Critics Don’t Offer Better Options," 21 Aug. 2019 Emily said the focus of her troop was on selling cookies. — Ramona Sentinel, "Boy Scout troop gains traction with six girls," 21 Aug. 2019 Thunberg, who has always said the focus should be on the message, not the messenger, will likely be pleased. — Akshat Rathi, Quartz, "The UN just elevated its greatest allies in the climate fight: the youth," 21 Aug. 2019 In some cases, the focus is on mainstreaming students with disabilities into the general student population. — Eric Berger, sun-sentinel.com, "Jewish day schools investing in special needs," 21 Aug. 2019 Never, according to Kelton; under M.M.T., the focus is sustainable inflation, whereas fiscal traditionalists worry about the deficit and don’t consider inflation at all. — Zach Helfand, The New Yorker, "The Economist Who Believes the Government Should Just Print More Money," 20 Aug. 2019 Prieto said the team’s focus is solely in front of them, and the team’s goal is to work hard and get better every day. — Elliott Lapin

focus

Definition of focus

Other Words from focus

Synonyms for focus

Did You Know?

Examples of focus in a Sentence

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