zoom-lenshttp://www.oed.com/dictionary/zoom-lens_n%3Ftab%3Dmeaning_and_usezoom lens, n.
Revised 2017

zoom lensnoun

  1. 1932–
    A camera lens or lens assembly whose focal length (and hence the magnification and the field of view) can be smoothly varied, typically while keeping the image in focus (cf. varifocal adj. a).
    1. 1932
      This lens, called a ‘zoom lens’, is an interconnected series of lens elements which permit changing magnifying power of the lens.
      Laredo (Texas) Times 27 June 1/7
    2. 1962
      A zoom lens, one that would change its focal length.
      L. Deighton, Ipcress File xxiv. 154
    3. 1978
      The drifting began. Like a huge, long pull-back on a zoom lens so that everything diminished.
      J. Gardner, Dancing Dodo xix. 146
    4. 2008
      Use the telephoto end of your zoom lens.
      Sporting Shooter November 102/1

Originally published as part of the entry for zoom, n.

zoom, n. was revised in June 2017.