focuses

1. 1
   verb

   Third-person singular simple present indicative of focus.

   He focuses his energy on the projects that matter most to him.

   The lens focuses incoming light onto a single point.

   Note

   The present-tense verb shares its spelling with the noun plural, and only context tells them apart. As a verb it works two ways. Transitively, it takes an object and usually on or onto, as in focusing energy on a task or light onto a point. Intransitively, the subject itself does the adjusting or concentrating: a camera focuses, a reader focuses on the details.

   The camera focuses automatically when you half-press the shutter.

   She focuses on the details others overlook.

2. 2
   noun

   Plural of focus.

   The strategy document outlines several competing focuses for the department.

   Over the decade, her research had a number of shifting focuses.

   Note

   One of two plurals, and the choice tracks meaning. Where focus names a point where light rays converge, or a point of a conic, technical writing tends to keep the Latin foci. Where it means what attention or activity is aimed at, focuses is the usual form: a department's competing focuses, a career's shifting focuses. The uncountable senses, focus as concentration or as image sharpness, rarely need a plural at all.

Showing meanings only. Show all 2