laser

IPA/ˈleɪzə(r)/
KK[lˈezɚ]IPA/ˈleɪzər/

laser — noun

  • lasersingular
  • lasersplural

1. A laser is a device that sends out an extremely focused, intense ray of light. T

1.nounB1
Definition

A laser is a device that sends out an extremely focused, intense ray of light. The ray is strong enough to cut through metal, remove hair or tattoos from skin, fix vision problems in eye surgery, and produce bright patterns for entertainment shows.

Example

The surgeon used a laser to fix Rania's blurry vision in just fifteen minutes.

medical context: laser surgery

Charlotte watched the laser cut sharp shapes into the metal during the factory visit.

Common collocations
  • laser surgery
  • laser treatment
  • laser beam
  • laser pointer
  • laser printer
  • laser cutter
  • laser engraving
  • laser show
  • laser light
  • laser technology
  • laser eye surgery
Synonyms
  • beam

    refers to the light itself rather than the device that produces it

  • light source

    a much more general term for anything that gives off light

Grammar Patterns

laser + noun (laser surgery / laser printer / laser pointer)

a/the + laser + verb (laser cuts / laser removes)

Usage Note

Often used before another noun to describe devices or treatments that use laser technology, such as a laser printer, laser surgery, or laser pointer.

Common Mistakes

I bought a laser' (meaning a small pointing device).
I bought a laser pointer.
On its own, 'laser' usually refers to the machine itself; the common handheld device is called a 'laser pointer'.
The laser in my DVD player is broken.
The laser reader in my DVD player is broken.
The component inside a DVD player is usually called a 'laser reader' or 'laser lens', not just 'laser'.

laser — verb

Common collocations

Nouns

  • laser technology
  • laser equipment
  • laser machine