laser

noun

Definition of lasernext
as in spotlight
a device that produces a narrow and powerful stream of light that has many special uses in medicine, industry, etc. doctors using a laser to perform delicate eye surgery

Related Words

Relevance

Example Sentences

Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
Recent Examples of laser Under its agreement with ESA, NASA is responsible for supplying the transmitters and telescopes for the lasers. — Stephen Clark, ArsTechnica, 7 Oct. 2026 The suspects were armed with handguns, one of which was equipped with a flashlight and laser attachment, and took bags and phones from their victims, police said. — Laura Fay, CBS News, 7 Oct. 2026 This hotel is laser-focused on supporting community farmers and fishermen, using their herbs, produce, and daily catches on the menu. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 6 Oct. 2026 Previous peels, microneedling, IPL, lasers, or other cosmetic procedures, including dates and reactions. — Malana Vantyler, Miami Herald, 6 Oct. 2026 See All Example Sentences for laser
Recent Examples of Synonyms for laser
  1. spotlight
  2. beam
Noun
  • Lucy’s constant sense of invention sometimes falters under the album’s new, megawatt spotlight, lacking the enticing mystery that gives their best music its power.
    — H.D. Angel, Pitchfork, 8 Oct. 2026
  • Affleck, always at his best in roles that place his all-American alpha qualities under a harsh, sweat-inducing spotlight, has cast himself ideally here.
    — Guy Lodge, Variety, 8 Oct. 2026
Definition of spotlight
Noun
  • One use involves directing a beam of protons or other heavier particles into the patient, targeting unwanted cancerous cells (proton/heavy ion therapy).
    — Andrea Richard, The Conversation, 2 Oct. 2026
  • Researchers at Romania’s Horia Hulubei National Institute have now solved this speed challenge by producing images with an artificial muon beam for the first time.
    — Mrigakshi Dixit, Interesting Engineering, 2 Oct. 2026
Definition of beam

Browse Nearby Words

lasciviousness
laser
laser disc
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Laser.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/laser. Accessed 9 Oct. 2026.

Copy Citation

More from Merriam-Webster on laser

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about laser

Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Last Updated: - Updated example sentences

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Exceptions of '-s' and '-es' Plurals

Merriam-Webster’s Great Big List of Words You Love to Hate

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't

7 Words for Bad Endings and Rough Situations

The Words of the Week - Oct. 9

Even More Bird Names that Sound Like Insults (and Sometimes Are)
See More

Popular

See More

Do You Need a New Language Peeve?

The Real Origin of 'Supercalifragilistic'

9 Words That Sound Like Insults But Aren't
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
a cup of tea and a golf ball on tee side by side
Quiz: Sounds Like... Choose the word that sounds like it fits the clue...
See All