Focal describes something that is at the center of attention or activity, like the main point everyone focuses on. When a teacher asks what the focal point of a story is, she wants to know what the story is really about: its central theme or most important element.

In photography, the focal point is the part of the picture that's sharpest and clearest, drawing your eye immediately. A photographer might make a butterfly the focal point of a nature photograph, keeping it crisp while the background blurs.

In everyday use, focal describes whatever serves as the main center of interest. A science fair project about volcanoes might make an erupting model its focal point: the dramatic demonstration that captures everyone's attention. During a class debate, the focal issue is the central question being argued, not the side topics people bring up along the way.

When something becomes focal, it means people are concentrating on it, making it the heart of the discussion or activity. If your soccer team keeps losing games, improving defense might become the focal point of practice: the main thing the coach emphasizes and everyone works on together.