refractor

/rɪˈfræktər/
noun
  1. A telescope that uses lenses to bend light and form an image.
    • Refractors are popular among beginners because they are easy to use.
    • The amateur astronomer set up his refractor to observe Jupiter's moons.
    • She saved up for months to buy a high-quality refractor for stargazing.
  2. A device or material that bends light or other waves, such as sound or radio waves.
    • The submarine's sonar system includes a special refractor for sound waves.
    • In physics class, we used a glass prism as a refractor to split white light.
    • The lens acts as a refractor, focusing the light onto the sensor.