First Known Use: 15th century
Dictionary
aperture
noun ap·er·ture \ˈap-ə(r)-ˌchu̇r, -chər, -ˌtyu̇r, -ˌtu̇r\
: a hole or small opening in something
: an opening that controls the amount of light that passes through a lens (such as a camera lens)
Full Definition of APERTURE
1
: an opening or open space : hole
2
a : the opening in a photographic lens that admits the light b : the diameter of the stop in an optical system that determines the diameter of the bundle of rays traversing the instrument c : the diameter of the objective lens or mirror of a telescope
See aperture defined for English-language learners
See aperture defined for kids
ADVERTISEMENT
Origin of APERTURE
Middle English, from Latin apertura, from apertus, past participle of aperire to open
Related to APERTURE
- Synonyms
- hole, opening, orifice, perforation
Rhymes with APERTURE
amateur, armature, blackamoor, carrefour, carte du jour, coinsure, commissure, confiture, connoisseur, coverture, curvature, cynosure, embouchure, epicure, filature, forfeiture, garniture, geniture, green-manure, haute couture, immature, insecure, ligature, manicure, overture, paramour, pedicure, plat du jour, portraiture, prelature, premature, quadrature, reassure, Reaumur, reinsure, saboteur, sepulture, sequitur, signature, simon-pure, sinecure, soup du jour, tablature, temperature, to be sure, troubadour, white amur, Yom Kippur
APERTURE Defined for Kids
aperture
noun ap·er·ture \ˈa-pər-ˌchu̇r\
Definition of APERTURE for Kids
: an opening or open space : hole
Medical Dictionary
aperture
noun ap·er·ture \ˈap-ə(r)-ˌchu̇(ə)r, -chər, -ˌt(y)u̇(ə)r\
Medical Definition of APERTURE
1
: an opening or open space
2
: the diameter of the stop in an optical system that determines the diameter of the bundle of rays traversing the instrument
Learn More About APERTURE
Browse
Next Word in the Dictionary: aperture cardPrevious Word in the Dictionary: apertural canalAll Words Near: aperture
ADVERTISEMENT
Seen & Heard
What made you want to look up aperture? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).