prism
noun
\ ˈpri-zəm
\
\
Definition of prism
1
: a polyhedron with two polygonal faces lying in parallel planes and with the other faces parallelograms
2a
: a transparent body that is bounded in part by two nonparallel plane faces and is used to refract or disperse a beam of light
b
: a prism-shaped decorative glass luster
3
: a crystal form whose faces are parallel to one axis
especially
: one whose faces are parallel to the vertical axis
4
: a medium that distorts, slants, or colors whatever is viewed through it
Examples of prism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
And because those key moments will be viewed largely through people's usual preferred outlets and ideological prisms, the potential to change minds or open eyes is more limited than some of the pregame coverage would suggest. — Brian Stelter, CNN, "How TV anchors are preparing for the Mueller hearing," 23 July 2019 But that’s not the prism through which players look at things. — San Diego Union-Tribune, "Hosmer talks about Padres as contenders, knows importance of this point in season," 27 June 2019 But even the message of his famous Cairo address in 2009 was filtered through an Orientalist prism, albeit a more liberal, multicultural one. — Adam Shatz, The New York Review of Books, "‘Orientalism,’ Then and Now," 20 May 2019 The bergs are back-lit, our sun a prism, radiating light. — Elizabeth Rush, National Geographic, "Here's what Antarctica's calving glaciers look like up close," 12 Mar. 2019 Once neither left nor right contain a prism, then they can be colored in. — Quanta Magazine, "Theorists Draw Closer to Perfect Coloring," 20 Oct. 2015 But the events are all filtered through the prism of the fictional Lyons family: four siblings, their partners, their children, and their grandmother. — Emily Todd Vanderwerff, Vox, "HBO’s Years and Years immerses us in our soon-to-be dystopia. Until it chickens out.," 4 Aug. 2019 Since everyone saw the world through the prism of their own culture, Melville believed, no society could claim moral superiority over another. — The Economist, "Born 200 years ago, Herman Melville was globalisation’s first great bard," 18 July 2019 Framed by hip-hop throw downs and graffiti art, this is Latinx history and culture seen through the post-modern prism of potty-mouthed stand-up comedy. — Karen D'souza, The Mercury News, "Review: Outrageous ‘Kiss My Aztec!’ premieres at Berkeley Rep," 8 June 2019These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'prism.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Keep scrolling for more
Keep scrolling for more
More Definitions for prism
prism
noun
English Language Learners Definition of prism
: a transparent glass or plastic object that usually has three sides and that separates the light that passes through it into different colors
See the full definition for prism in the English Language Learners Dictionary
prism
noun
\ ˈpri-zəm
\
\
Kids Definition of prism
: a transparent object that usually has three sides and bends light so that it breaks up into rainbow colors
prism
noun
\ ˈpriz-əm
\
\
Medical Definition of prism
1
: a polyhedron with two polygonal faces lying in parallel planes and with the other faces parallelograms
2
: a transparent body that is bounded in part by two nonparallel plane faces and is used to refract or disperse a beam of light
3
: a crystal form whose faces are parallel to one axis
especially
: one whose faces are parallel to the vertical axis
Keep scrolling for more