noun

oculus

/ˈɒkjʊləs/ · say it: OK·yuh·lus

a circular opening or window, often in a dome

In Architecture & Design

In more detail

1. (noun) the eye, especially the human eye

2. (noun) a circular opening or window, typically in a dome or roof

Examples

1. The oculus is a complex organ responsible for vision.
2. The oculus in the Pantheon dome allows light to flood the interior.

How to use oculus

Oculus is a formal or technical term used primarily in architecture to describe a circular opening or window, most famously the oculus of the Pantheon in Rome. In modern usage, it rarely refers to the human eye except in medical, poetic, or highly formal contexts. It appears in the Latin phrase 'oculus Dei' (eye of God) and in contemporary usage in technology (the Oculus brand name).

Common phrases

oculus of the dome
circular oculus
oculus window
oculus opening
the Pantheon's oculus

Synonyms

eye · window · opening · aperture · orb

Word family

ocular · oculi (plural) · oculist

A common mistake

Learners sometimes confuse the architectural meaning with simple 'window' or 'hole,' missing that oculus specifically denotes a circular or eye-like opening that serves both functional and symbolic purposes.

Learn it for good

Save this word in WordVale and it comes back for review right before you'd forget it — with pronunciation, real examples, and optional translations. One purchase, no subscription.

Get WordValeFREE 7-DAY TRIAL · iPHONE & iPAD