: 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
Example Sentences
Recent Examples on the WebWilde, 38, sees the world through a post-feminist prism, and the women in her films drive action on their own, without the help of men. Elizabeth Wagmeister, Variety, 25 Aug. 2022 Under this approach, domestic and foreign dangers were often seen through a prism of ideological rivalry with the West.New York Times, 6 Aug. 2022 Cherries glow bright red inside clear jars, filaments burn with intense white light, and sunbeams scatter through glass as if refracted through a prism.Washington Post, 4 Mar. 2022 The artifacts — a fragment of a stone tablet inscribed with cuneiform characters and a hexagonal prism used to teach schoolchildren the cuneiform alphabet — are believed to be about 4,000 years old, authorities said. Matthew Ormseth, Los Angeles Times, 20 Jan. 2022 Through an optimistic prism, the lessons of the First Step Act suggest a big, bipartisan legislative agreement might not be impossible these days.San Diego Union-Tribune, 7 Jan. 2022 Coincidentally, the triangular form is reminiscent of a prism, like Pink Floyd's Dark Side of the Moon album cover. Mike Duff, Car and Driver, 29 Nov. 2021 This reality show about L.A. real estate, told through the prism of one brokerage house and the adventures of the real estate agents who work there, has been streaming for five seasons and is nominated for the second year in a row. Scott Feinberg, The Hollywood Reporter, 21 Aug. 2022 Not understanding or seeing your hair through the prism of hair marketing messaging, but from experts and the full body of science and information that is accessible to us. Akili King, Vogue, 12 Aug. 2022 See More
Word History
Etymology
Late Latin prismat-, prisma, from Greek, literally, anything sawn, from priein to saw