often attributive
1
: a device that utilizes the natural oscillations of atoms or molecules between energy levels for generating a beam of coherent electromagnetic radiation usually in the ultraviolet, visible, or infrared regions of the spectrum
also
: the beam of coherent radiation itself
The cesium fluoresced. This told them they had the necessary population of excited atoms to produce a laser. —
Nick Taylor
Nick Taylor 2
: something resembling a laser beam in accuracy, speed, or intensity
threw a laser into the end zone
a laser stare
lasered; lasering; lasers
: to subject to the action of a laser : treat with a laser
Examples of laser in a Sentence
Noun
doctors using a laser to perform delicate eye surgery
Recent Examples on the WebIEEE Spectrum, 3 June 2024
Florida boy, 13, arrested for shining laser at sheriff's office helicopter
A 13-year-old Florida boy is facing a felony charge for pointing a laser at a sheriff's office helicopter.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, Fox News, 2 June 2024
Katie Camero, USA TODAY, 11 Jan. 2024
Job seekers, old and young alike, need to laser focus on positions that utilize the skills required, regardless of their age.
—Phil Blair, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Dec. 2023
See all Example Sentences for laser 
Noun
Using the quantum wave-particle duality, in which matter behaves both like tiny billiard balls and wave packets, engineers can then use lasers and magnetic fields to split the BEC cloud into two or more coherent matter-wave packets.
—IEEE Spectrum, 3 June 2024
Florida boy, 13, arrested for shining laser at sheriff's office helicopter
A 13-year-old Florida boy is facing a felony charge for pointing a laser at a sheriff's office helicopter.
—Sarah Rumpf-Whitten, Fox News, 2 June 2024
Verb
Just ask an ophthalmologist to laser a chemical dye into your cornea or have a silicone iris surgically implanted instead.
—Katie Camero, USA TODAY, 11 Jan. 2024
Job seekers, old and young alike, need to laser focus on positions that utilize the skills required, regardless of their age.
—Phil Blair, San Diego Union-Tribune, 25 Dec. 2023
See all Example Sentences for laser
These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'laser.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.
Dictionary Entries Near laser
Cite this Entry
“Laser.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/laser. Accessed 9 Jun. 2024.
Copy CitationKids Definition
laser
1 of 2 noun
la·ser
ˈlā-zər 
: a device that uses the natural vibrations of atoms or molecules to generate a narrow beam of light having a small frequency range
laser
2 of 2 verb
: to subject to the action of a laser
Etymology
Noun
light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation
Medical Definition
laser
1 of 2 noun
la·ser
ˈlā-zər
: a device that utilizes the natural oscillations of atoms or molecules between energy levels for generating coherent electromagnetic radiation usually in the ultraviolet, visible, or infrared regions of the spectrum
laser
2 of 2 transitive verb
: to subject to the action of a laser : treat with a laser
cutting a corneal flap to remove tissue and then lasering the area under it—Jenny Manzer
Jenny ManzerLove words? Need even more definitions?
Merriam-Webster unabridged
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