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Definitions for Focus

[1] a central point, as of attraction, attention, or activity: The need to prevent a nuclear war became the focus of all diplomatic efforts.
[2] Physics . a point at which rays of light, heat, or other radiation meet after being refracted or reflected.
[3] Optics . the focal point of a lens, on which rays converge or from which they deviate. the focal length of a lens; the distance from a focal point to a corresponding principal plane. the clear and sharply defined condition of an image. the position of a viewed object or the adjustment of an optical device necessary to produce a clear image: in focus; out of focus.
[4] Geometry . (of a conic section) a point having the property that the distances from any point on a curve to it and to a fixed line have a constant ratio for all points on the curve.
[5] Geology . the point of origin of an earthquake.
[6] Pathology . the primary center from which a disease develops or in which it localizes.
[7] to bring to a focus or into focus; cause to converge on a perceived point: to focus the lens of a camera.
[8] to concentrate: to focus one's thoughts; to focus troop deployment in the east.
[9] to be or become focused: My eyes have trouble focusing on distant objects.
[10] to direct one's attention or efforts: Students must focus in class.
[11] a point of convergence of light or other electromagnetic radiation, particles, sound waves, etc, or a point from which they appear to diverge
[12] another name for focal point (def. 1), focal length
[13] optics the state of an optical image when it is distinct and clearly defined or the state of an instrument producing this image the picture is in focus ; the telescope is out of focus
[14] a point upon which attention, activity, etc, is directed or concentrated
[15] geometry a fixed reference point on the concave side of a conic section, used when defining its eccentricity
[16] the point beneath the earth's surface at which an earthquake or underground nuclear explosion originates Compare epicentre
[17] pathol the main site of an infection or a localized region of diseased tissue
[18] to bring or come to a focus or into focus
[19] (tr often foll by on ) to fix attention (on); concentrate

Words related to Focus

target, spotlight, fixate, direct, concentrate, put, meet, attract, limelight, core, center, hub, heart, headquarters, seat, locus, polestar, cynosure, centralize, join

Words nearby Focus

focalize, foch, foci, focometer, focsani, focus, focus group, focus puller, focused strategy, focusing cloth, focusing screen

Origin of Focus

1635–45; < Latin: fireplace, hearth

Other words from Focus

fo·cus·a·ble , adjective
fo·cus·er , noun
mis·fo·cus , verb, mis·fo·cused, mis·fo·cus·ing or (especially British ) mis·fo·cussed, mis·fo·cus·sing.
mis·fo·cused , adjective
mis·fo·cussed , adjective
o·ver·fo·cus , verb (used with object), o·ver·fo·cused, o·ver·fo·cus·ing or (especially British ) o·ver·fo·cussed, o·ver·fo·cus·sing.
re·fo·cus , verb, re·fo·cused, re·fo·cus·ing or (especially British ) re·fo·cussed, re·fo·cus·sing.
self-fo·cused , adjective
self-fo·cus·ing , adjective
self-fo·cussed , adjective
self-fo·cus·sing , adjective
un·fo·cus·ing , adjective
un·fo·cus·sing , adjective
well-fo·cused , adjective
well-fo·cussed , adjective

Word origin for Focus

C17: via New Latin from Latin: hearth, fireplace

Synonyms for Focus

focal point, spotlight, target, center, core, cynosure, headquarters, heart, hub, limelight, locus, polestar, seat, bull's eye, meeting place, nerve center, point of convergence