A microscope objective includes three groups that are in a positive-negative-positive configuration. The first lens group includes a plurality of cemented lenses, and includes, closest to the object, a meniscus lens having its concave surface on the object side. The second lens group includes a first meniscus lens component having its concave surface on the image side and a second meniscus lens component having its concave surface on the object side. At least one of the lens components of the third lens group is a cemented lens.