1. transparent objects, typically triangular, that separate white light into colors or bend light rays
Usage: optics; physics
2. three-dimensional geometric shapes with two parallel, congruent faces and other faces that are parallelograms
Usage: geometry; mathematics

Examples

• The scientist used glass prisms to demonstrate how sunlight contains all colors of the rainbow.
• Light passing through prisms creates beautiful spectrum displays on the wall.
• The physics lab had several triangular prisms for optical experiments.
• Students calculated the volume of rectangular prisms in geometry class.
• The crystal prisms in the chandelier scattered light throughout the room.
• Hexagonal prisms have six rectangular faces and two hexagonal bases.
• The photographer used prisms to create artistic light effects in her images.