prism

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA ^(key): ˈprɪz(ə)m/ or [ˈpʰr̠̊ɪzm̩]
• (US) IPA ^(key): /ˈprɪzəm/

• Audio (US)

  (file)

Noun

Singular prism

Plural prisms

An illustration of a pentagonal prism.

An illustration of a triangular prism refracting white light into a spectrum.

1. (countable) (geometry) A prism is a polyhedron with two ends of the same shape and size, the other faces being parallelogram-shaped sides.
2. (countable) (optics) A prism is a transparent block in the shape of a prism, typically with triangular ends, used to reflect or refract light.