focal point

noun

Synonyms of focal pointnext
1
: focus sense 4a
2
: focus sense 1a

Examples of focal point in a Sentence

This port was the focal point of trade two centuries ago.
Recent Examples on the Web
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.
Riders on the Jungle Cruise float past a Sausage Tree that serves as a heroic focal point on a peninsula next to Schweitzer Falls. — Brady MacDonald, Oc Register, 7 July 2026 Material remains the focal point of the Reda 1865 and Reda Active lines, creating elegance, movement and continuity for both formalwear and leisure. — Fairchild Studio, Footwear News, 7 July 2026 Barrymore’s neutral trousers are easily the focal point of her outfit. — Tanya Sharma, PEOPLE, 7 July 2026 The ‘College-Enrollment Death Spiral’ and College Athletics The merger of Ursuline and Gannon stems in part from the enrollment challenges that have become a focal point of higher ed administrators across the country. — Michael McCann, Sportico.com, 6 July 2026 See All Example Sentences for focal point

Word History

First Known Use

1692, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler
The first known use of focal point was in 1692

Rhymes for focal point

See All Rhymes for focal point

Browse Nearby Words

focal-plane shutter
focal point
focal ratio
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Focal point.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/focal%20point. Accessed 10 Jul. 2026.

Copy Citation

Kids Definition

focal point

noun
: focus entry 1 sense 1

Medical Definition

focal point

noun
: focus sense 1a
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

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

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

'A' or 'an'? What about before 'h'? An Indefinite Article Guide

Why is '-ed' sometimes pronounced at the end of a word?

Commonly Misspelled Words

How to Use Em Dashes (—), En Dashes (–) , and Hyphens (-)
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List

One-Word Oxymorons: Bittersweet, Spendthrift, and More

Ten Words Ending with a Silent ‘T’

The Words of the Week - Jul 10
See More

Popular

See More

Is that lie 'bald-faced' or 'bold-faced'?

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Longest Long Words List
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
banana-mirrored
Contradictory Words Quiz Pick out which word means one thing…and the opp...
See All