lase

verb

ˈlāz How to pronounce lase (audio)
lased; lasing

intransitive verb

: to emit coherent light

Examples of lase in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web
Examples are automatically compiled from online sources to show current usage. Read More Opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.
The resulting device was photopumped, meaning an external light source supplied the energy needed for lasing. — Rupendra Brahambhatt, Interesting Engineering, 5 Sep. 2026 Interstate 94 is seeing a major reconstruction project that will rebuild nearly 13 miles with work lasing until 2028. — Jenna Prestininzi, Freep.com, 2 Aug. 2026 By having photons of a specific wavelength build up in the lasing cavity, that same-frequency emission gets stimulated over and over again. — Ethan Siegel, Big Think, 7 Aug. 2025 When the optical gain in the cavity exceeds the optical losses, the system reaches the lasing threshold, emitting laser light. — New Atlas, 13 July 2025 See All Example Sentences for lase

Word History

Etymology

back-formation from laser

First Known Use

1962, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of lase was in 1962

Rhymes for lase

See All Rhymes for lase

Browse Nearby Words

Las Cruces
lase
laser
See all Nearby Words

Cite this Entry

“Lase.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/lase. Accessed 7 Sep. 2026.

Copy Citation
Last Updated: - Updated example sentences
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

More from Merriam-Webster

Word of the Day

Listen to the pronunciation of gist

See Definitions and Examples »

Popular in Grammar & Usage

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

A List of Most Commonly Confused Words

Why do we use apostrophes to show possession?

Is it 'nerve-racking' or 'nerve-wracking'?

What's the difference between 'fascism' and 'socialism'?
See More

Popular in Wordplay

See More

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke

Ye Olde Nincompoop: Old-Fashioned Words for 'Stupid'

14 Phobias You Probably Haven't Heard Of

The Words of the Week - Sept. 4
See More

Popular

See More

A Who’s Who Regarding ‘Who’s’ and ‘Whose’

The Longest Long Words List

Stay Woke
See More

Games & Quizzes

See All
Play Quordle: Guess all four words in a limited number of tries. Each of your guesses must be a real 5-letter word.
Quordle Can you solve 4 words at once?
Play Blossom: Solve today's spelling word game by finding as many words as you can using just 7 letters. Longer words score more points.
Blossom Pick the best words!
Play Missing Letter: a crossword with a twist. Each of the 25 puzzle words start with a different letter of the alphabet. Which letter is missing?
The Missing Letter A daily crossword with a twist
anagrams on a chalk board
Word Builder Quiz Vol. 2 Pick the letter that when added to a word will ma...
See All