1
: a polyhedron with two polygonal faces lying in parallel planes and with the other faces parallelograms
2
a
: a transparent body that is bounded in part by two nonparallel plane faces and is used to refract or disperse a beam of light
b
: a prism-shaped decorative glass luster
3
: a crystal form whose faces are parallel to one axis
especially
: one whose faces are parallel to the vertical axis
4
: a medium that distorts, slants, or colors whatever is viewed through it
Examples of prism in a Sentence
Recent Examples on the Web
Despite the discouraging tendency these days to see everything through a political prism, the science itself is incontestable and apolitical: Climate change is caused by human activity, primarily the use fossil fuels, like coal, oil and gas.
—
Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 24 July 2025
Draft strategy: The fantasy community is viewing Love through a 2024 prism and thus predicting another mid-tier QB2 showing, which doesn’t match his low-end QB1 ranking here, so Love can be an excellent value pick in Rounds 9-10.
14.
—Kc Joyner, New York Times, 23 July 2025
Earlier this month, the European Commission announced that the trading bloc was doing well on innovation, particularly when viewed through the prism of progress made by member states.
—Trevor Clawson, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
Described as a Scandinavian prestige drama filtered through a horror prism, the story follows three sisters who have withdrawn to their family’s vacation home in the wake of the youngest sister’s second suicide attempt.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for prism
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Caitlin Looby, jsonline.com, 24 July 2025
Draft strategy: The fantasy community is viewing Love through a 2024 prism and thus predicting another mid-tier QB2 showing, which doesn’t match his low-end QB1 ranking here, so Love can be an excellent value pick in Rounds 9-10.
14.
—Kc Joyner, New York Times, 23 July 2025
Earlier this month, the European Commission announced that the trading bloc was doing well on innovation, particularly when viewed through the prism of progress made by member states.
—Trevor Clawson, Forbes.com, 23 July 2025
Described as a Scandinavian prestige drama filtered through a horror prism, the story follows three sisters who have withdrawn to their family’s vacation home in the wake of the youngest sister’s second suicide attempt.
—Matt Grobar, Deadline, 2 July 2025
See All Example Sentences for prism
Cite this Entry
“Prism.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/prism. Accessed 29 Jul. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
prism
noun1
: a polyhedron with two opposite ends that are parallel polygons and faces that are each parallelograms
2
: a transparent object that usually has three sides and bends light so that it breaks up into rainbow colors
Medical Definition
prism
noun1
: a polyhedron with two polygonal faces lying in parallel planes and with the other faces parallelograms
2
: a transparent body that is bounded in part by two nonparallel plane faces and is used to refract or disperse a beam of light
3
: a crystal form whose faces are parallel to one axis
especially
: one whose faces are parallel to the vertical axis
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