confocal

adjective

con·​fo·​cal (ˌ)kän-ˈfō-kəl How to pronounce confocal (audio)
: having the same foci
confocal ellipses
confocal lenses
confocally
(ˌ)kän-ˈfō-kə-lē How to pronounce confocal (audio)
adverb

Examples of confocal in a Sentence

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Unlike a standard microscope, which illuminates an entire sample at once and can produce blurry images, a confocal microscope focuses on one depth level at a time. — Molly Herring, Quanta Magazine, 21 Oct. 2026 Still, with advancements like confocal fluorescence microscopy, experts are readier than ever to give them a look once more are found. — Andrew Paul, Popular Science, 14 Aug. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1867, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of confocal was in 1867

Rhymes for confocal

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Browse Nearby Words

conflux
confocal
conform
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Cite this Entry

“Confocal.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/confocal. Accessed 1 Nov. 2026.

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Medical Definition

confocal

adjective
con·​fo·​cal (ˈ)kän-ˈfō-kəl How to pronounce confocal (audio)
: having the same foci
confocal lenses
confocally
-kə-lē How to pronounce confocal (audio)
adverb
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