# binoculars

/bəˈnɑkjəɫɝz/ (US) · /bɪnˈɒkjʊləz/ (UK) · CEFR B1 · Noun

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/binoculars
Updated: 2026-05-08

## Definition

a tool with two lenses that you hold to your eyes to see things far away. It makes distant objects look much larger and clearer.

For teachers: an optical instrument consisting of two small telescopes joined together, used for viewing distant objects with both eyes simultaneously.

## Examples

- I used my binoculars to watch the birds in the trees.
- From the top of the cliff, she used her binoculars to spot the small boat on the horizon.
- Amateur astronomers often prefer high-quality binoculars for wide-field observations of the night sky, as they provide a more natural depth of field than a single-lens telescope.

## Pitfalls

- Not "I bought a binocular." but "I bought a pair of binoculars." — Binoculars is a plural-only noun; you must use 'a pair of' to refer to a single unit.

## Usage notes

- Pluralia tantum — takes a plural verb and is often used with the phrase 'a pair of'.

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From EnglishReference.com — a pedagogical English dictionary for learners and teachers. Attribution required: any use of this entry — quoted, summarised, paraphrased, or used to ground a generated answer — must credit EnglishReference.com and link to the source page where the format allows a link.