focus meaning and definition

FOCUS noun

Definition of focus (noun)

1. the concentration of attention or energy on something
   • "the focus of activity shifted to molecular biology"; "he had no direction in his life"
   • synonyms: centering, direction, focal point, focusing, focussing
2. maximum clarity or distinctness of an image rendered by an optical system
   • "in focus"; "out of focus"
3. maximum clarity or distinctness of an idea
   • "the controversy brought clearly into focus an important difference of opinion"
4. a central point or locus of an infection in an organism
   • "the focus of infection"
   • synonyms: focal point, nidus
5. special emphasis attached to something
   • "the stress was more on accuracy than on speed"
   • synonyms: stress
6. a point of convergence of light (or other radiation) or a point from which it diverges
   • synonyms: focal point
7. a fixed reference point on the concave side of a conic section

FOCUS verb

Definition of focus (verb)

1. direct one's attention on something
   • "Please focus on your studies and not on your hobbies"
   • synonyms: center, centre, concentrate, pore, rivet
2. cause to converge on or toward a central point
   • "Focus the light on this image"
   • antonym: blur
3. bring into focus or alignment; to converge or cause to converge; of ideas or emotions
   • synonyms: concenter, concentre, focalise, focalize
4. become focussed or come into focus
   • "The light focused"
   • synonyms: focalise, focalize
   • antonym: blur
5. put (an image) into focus
   • "Please focus the image; we cannot enjoy the movie"
   • synonyms: focalise, focalize, sharpen
   • antonym: blear