# telescope

/ˈtɛɫəˌskoʊp/ (US) · /tˈɛlɪskˌəʊp/ (UK)

Source: https://englishreference.com/word/telescope
Updated: 2026-06-20

## Senses

### 1. optical instrument

noun · CEFR A2

a tube-shaped tool that uses lenses or mirrors to make distant objects look larger and closer.

For teachers: an optical instrument designed to make distant objects appear nearer, containing an arrangement of lenses, or of curved mirrors and lenses.

- He spent the night looking through his telescope at the craters on the moon.
- The observatory houses a massive reflecting telescope capable of capturing light from galaxies millions of light-years away.

### 2. astronomical device

noun · CEFR B2 · Technical

any large scientific machine used to collect signals from space, like radio waves.

For teachers: any instrument used in astronomy for observing distant objects by collecting and focusing electromagnetic radiation.

- The scientists used a giant radio telescope to listen for signals from deep space.
- The array consists of several individual telescopes working in unison to provide high-resolution data of the solar system's outer reaches.

### 3. to slide together

verb · CEFR C1 · Technical

to slide parts of an object inside each other to make it shorter or longer.

For teachers: to slide or pass one section within another, typically to shorten or lengthen a tubular object.

- The handle of the suitcase can telescope down so it is easier to store.
- The tripod legs are designed to telescope, allowing the photographer to adjust the height quickly on uneven terrain.

### 4. to shorten or condense

verb · CEFR C1 · Academic · Formal

to make something much shorter or to combine many things into one.

For teachers: to condense or compress a period of time or a series of events into a shorter duration.

- The director had to telescope the long book into a two-hour movie.
- The curriculum was telescoped into a single semester, forcing students to master complex concepts at an accelerated pace.

## Examples

- I used a telescope to see the craters on the moon.
- The amateur astronomer spent hours in his backyard adjusting his telescope to get a clear view of Saturn's rings.
- Modern observatories often house a massive reflecting telescope on a remote mountaintop to minimize atmospheric interference and capture light from the furthest reaches of the observable universe.

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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.