What does "laser" mean?
A device that produces a monochromatic, coherent beam of light.
Laser
/ˈleɪzɚ/ noun, verb, slang
noun, verb, slang ·Common ·High school level
Meaning at a glance
- Primary sense: A device that produces a monochromatic, coherent beam of light.
- Grammar: laser is listed as noun, verb, slang.
- Nearest alternatives: optical maser, ablate, burn, coherent light source.
- Useful contrasts: conceal, diffuse, imprecise.
- Usage evidence: Laser rays are used in the restoration of ancient works.
How to use "laser"
- Start with the primary definition, then check the part of speech before placing the word in a sentence.
- Compare nearby synonyms to make sure "laser" carries the exact meaning, tone, and strength you need.
- Use the example sentence as a context check. If your sentence uses the word differently, confirm that the grammar still fits.
Meaning check
- Does the word fit the sentence's grammar?
- Does it match the intended tone rather than only the dictionary definition?
- Would a simpler synonym be clearer for the reader?
- Is there enough surrounding context to prevent ambiguity?
Source and review context
This entry combines structured lexical data with WordToolSet review checks. Definitions, examples, synonyms, and usage notes may come from different source tables, so the page is designed to show evidence from more than one angle before you rely on "laser" in a final draft.
If a word has several senses, prefer the sense that matches your sentence's grammar and surrounding context. A correct definition can still be the wrong choice when the sentence needs a different register, emphasis, or level of specificity.
Before you rely on this definition
Read the first definition as a starting point, then check the example, synonyms, and part of speech before treating "laser" as the right word for your sentence.
If your draft is formal, technical, persuasive, or sensitive, compare "laser" with a nearby alternative so the final choice matches both meaning and reader expectation.
Compare nearby meanings
- Use synonyms when you need a softer, stronger, simpler, or more specific word.
- Use antonyms to check the boundary of the meaning and avoid accidental contrast.
- Use the example sentence to confirm the word behaves naturally in context.
- Keep the original wording when a replacement adds complexity without improving precision.
Definition decision workflow
1. Identify the role
Check whether "laser" is acting as noun, verb, slang in your sentence. A definition is only useful when the grammar matches the way the word is being used.
2. Test the nearest option
Compare it with "optical maser" and other nearby choices to see whether the sentence needs a softer, stronger, or more familiar word.
3. Confirm with context
Use the example sentence below as an evidence check, then read your own sentence out loud to catch tone or rhythm problems.
Review note: Definition pages are checked for source coverage, sentence evidence, synonym support, and editorial insight before they are treated as approval-ready pages. If the evidence is too thin, the page remains available to users but is kept out of the approval-facing indexed inventory.
Final meaning check
Before publishing a sentence with "laser", ask whether the word helps the reader understand the idea faster. A precise word should reduce confusion, not simply make the sentence look more polished.
When the definition, synonym evidence, and example context point in the same direction, the word is usually a safer choice. When they conflict, revise the sentence or choose a clearer alternative.
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A device that produces a monochromatic, coherent beam of light. countable, uncountable
- 2 A gum resin obtained from certain umbelliferous plants.
- 3 A simple type of dinghy
- 4 Acronym of light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation. abbreviation, acronym, alt-of
"The Engineering Experiment Station of the University of Idaho is cooperating in pioneer investigations of the possible use of LASERs in forest fire operation."
- 5 an acronym for light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation; an optical device that produces an intense monochromatic beam of coherent light wordnet
Show 4 more definitions
- 6 A beam of light produced by such a device; a laser beam. countable, uncountable
- 7 Such a plant.
- 8 A laser printer. countable, uncountable
"The bad news is that nearly every color laser is too big to share a desk with comfortably."
- 9 Ellipsis of laser hair removal. abbreviation, alt-of, ellipsis, uncountable
"I've still got a few more sessions of laser to get rid of the rest of my facial hair."
Verb
- 1 To cut, destroy or treat with a laser. transitive
"I'm having my eyes lasered to correct my astigmatism."
- 2 To throw or kick with laser-like precision. informal, transitive
"None was any more sensational than No.6, a fantastic 27-23 last-gasp win over the Arizona Cardinals, cemented by a brilliant toe-sticking TD catch by Santonio Holmes in the back of the end zone with 35 seconds remaining on a pass lasered by quarterback Ben Roethlisberger."
- 3 To point a laser at an aircraft, potentially disorienting the pilot or pilots.
Synonyms
All synonymsExample
"Laser rays are used in the restoration of ancient works."
Common questions
What is a synonym for "laser"?
Common synonyms include: optical maser, ablate, burn, coherent light source, cut, expose.
How do you use "laser" in a sentence?
Laser rays are used in the restoration of ancient works.
How do you pronounce "laser"?
Pronounced /ˈleɪzɚ/.
Etymology
Etymology 1
Etymology tree Proto-Indo-European *lewk-der. Proto-Germanic *leuhtaz Proto-West Germanic *leuht Old English lēoht Middle English light English light Latin amplus Latin -ficō Latin amplificō Proto-Indo-European *-tisder. Proto-Italic *-tjō Latin -tiō Latin amplificātiōlbor. English amplification Latin stimulus Latin stimulo Latin stimulatusbor. English stimulate English -ed English stimulated English emission English radiation English LASER English laser From LASER, acronym of light amplification by stimulated emission of radiation. Coined by American physicist Gordon Gould in 1957. Originally called an optical maser.
Etymology 2
From Latin laser.