focus

A focus is the central point of attention. (noun)

An example of focus is a newborn baby in a family.

Focus means to concentrate on something in particular. Focus means to bring into view. (verb)

See focus in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun pl. focuses or foci

the point where rays of light, heat, etc. or waves of sound come together, or from which they spread or seem to spread; specif., the point where rays of light reflected by a mirror or refracted by a lens meet (called real focus) or the point where they would meet if prolonged backward through the lens or mirror (called virtual focus)
focal length
an adjustment of the focal length to make a clear image: to bring a camera into focus
any center of activity, attention, etc.
a part of the body where a disease process, as an infection, tumor, etc., is localized or most active
the starting point of an earthquake
Math.
1. either of the two fixed points used in determining an ellipse
2. any analogous point for a parabola or hyperbola

to bring into focus
to adjust the focal length of (the eye, a lens, etc.) in order to produce a clear image
to fix or settle on one thing; concentrate: to focus one's attention on a question

intransitive verb

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See focus in American Heritage Dictionary 4

(fōˈkəs)

noun pl. fo·cus·es or fo·ci (-sīˌ, -kīˌ)

a. A point at which rays of light or other radiation converge or from which they appear to diverge, as after refraction or reflection in an optical system: the focus of a lens. Also called focal point.
b. See focal length.
a. The distinctness or clarity of an image rendered by an optical system.
b. The state of maximum distinctness or clarity of such an image: in focus; out of focus.
c. An apparatus used to adjust the focal length of an optical system in order to make an image distinct or clear: a camera with automatic focus.
A center of interest or activity. See Synonyms at center.
Close or narrow attention; concentration: “He was forever taken aback by [New York's] pervasive atmosphere of purposefulness—the tight focus of its drivers, the brisk intensity of its pedestrians” (Anne Tyler).
A condition in which something can be clearly apprehended or perceived: couldn't get the problem into focus.
Pathology The region of a localized bodily infection or disease.
Geology The point of origin of an earthquake.
Mathematics A fixed point whose relationship with a directrix determines a conic section.

verb fo·cused or fo·cussed, fo·cus·ing or fo·cus·sing, fo·cus·es or fo·cus·ses

verb, transitive

To cause (light rays, for example) to converge on or toward a central point; concentrate.
a. To render (an object or image) in clear outline or sharp detail by adjustment of one's vision or an optical device; bring into focus.
b. To adjust (a lens, for example) to produce a clear image.
To direct toward a particular point or purpose: focused all their attention on finding a solution to the problem.

verb, intransitive

To converge on or toward a central point of focus; be focused.
To adjust one's vision or an optical device so as to render a clear, distinct image.
To concentrate attention or energy: a campaign that focused on economic issues.

Related Forms: