vision

1 of 2

noun

vi·​sion ˈvi-zhən How to pronounce vision (audio)
1
a
: the act or power of seeing : sight
b
: the special sense by which the qualities of an object (such as color, luminosity, shape, and size) constituting its appearance are perceived through a process in which light rays entering the eye are transformed by the retina into electrical signals that are transmitted to the brain via the optic nerve
2
a
: something seen in a dream, trance, or ecstasy
especially : a supernatural appearance that conveys a revelation
b
: a thought, concept, or object formed by the imagination
c
: a manifestation to the senses of something immaterial
look, not at visions, but at realitiesEdith Wharton
3
a
: the act or power of imagination
b(1)
: mode of seeing or conceiving
(2)
: unusual discernment or foresight
a person of vision
c
: direct mystical awareness of the supernatural usually in visible form
4
a
: something seen
b
: a lovely or charming sight
visional
ˈvizh-nəl
ˈvi-zhə-nᵊl How to pronounce vision (audio)
adjective
visionally adverb

vision

2 of 2

verb

visioned; visioning ˈvi-zhə-niŋ How to pronounce vision (audio)
ˈvizh-niŋ

Examples of vision in a Sentence

Noun We had visions of fame and fortune. the architect's vision for the new building She had a clear vision of what she wanted to do. He had a vision of Christ. The idea came to me in a vision. Verb visioned her idea of the perfect meal
Recent Examples on the Web
Noun
Combustible elements slide into place — including Robert De Niro and Al Pacino sharing a scene for the first time — as Mann mounts a gun-metal-blue vision of a city peopled by operators at every level of experience. Joshua Rothkopf, Los Angeles Times, 14 Mar. 2024 His relentless running set the standard for his teammates to follow and his vision on the ball proved to be a constant threat to the resilience of Porto’s defense. Ben Church, CNN, 13 Mar. 2024 Other effects include permanent changes in color perception, distortion of vision, light sensitivity, and headaches. George Dvorsky / Gizmodo, Quartz, 13 Mar. 2024 Without allowing too many flights of oratory, Hall's script reminds us of King's ever-expanding vision, antiwar and pro economic justice. Jim Higgins, Journal Sentinel, 12 Mar. 2024 James conjures a vision of the antebellum South as a scene of pervasive terror. Tyler Austin Harper, The Atlantic, 12 Mar. 2024 But dating to his mayoral campaign, a key part of Johnston’s vision has been micro-communities — with tiny homes and on-site case management, workforce training and other services. Joe Rubino, The Denver Post, 12 Mar. 2024 Adjusting the signal of a sensory process happens all the time in the case of vision and glasses. Ray Ravaglia, Forbes, 2 Mar. 2024 Amid talks for a fighting pause that would see the release of those hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners, the United States and others have urged Israel to embrace a two-state solution as part of an end to the crisis and a long-term vision for stability. Karen Deyoung, Washington Post, 2 Mar. 2024
Verb
In 2019, under the guidance of Assembly Chair Felix Rivera, the Assembly hired Laurie Wolf to facilitate a series of three strategic visioning meetings to better define our goals for years 2019-2021. Anchorage Daily News, 28 Mar. 2020 At 80, Larry Ginter, a longtime organizer who participated in November’s visioning session, isn’t old enough to remember the original New Deal. Kate Aronoff, The New Republic, 31 Jan. 2020 Nobody was more tunnel-visioned than Helton, who did not look up at the visitors. Los Angeles Times, 20 Sep. 2019 But Korff won’t hold off for the city’s visioning effort to be completed. John Hilliard, BostonGlobe.com, 8 Aug. 2019 Landscape architect Christine Wilson of Copley Wolff Design Group created a conceptual design for the pocket park using community input, including through a site visit and a visioning workshop with nearby residents in the fall of 2018. John Laidler, BostonGlobe.com, 7 Aug. 2019 The plan was born out of a 2008 community visioning exercise conducted by the Oak Park-River Forest Community Foundation. Steve Schering, chicagotribune.com, 23 July 2019 Upcoming dates: July 16, Aug. 20 (open house/visioning session), Sept 17, and Oct. 15. Karen Huppertz, ajc, 21 June 2018 River Forest residents are invited to provide their input at a visioning workshop that will help shape the village’s future with the creation of a comprehensive plan. Steve Schering, chicagotribune.com, 10 Apr. 2018

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'vision.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin vision-, visio, from vidēre to see — more at wit

First Known Use

Noun

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 2a

Verb

1743, in the meaning defined above

Time Traveler
The first known use of vision was in the 14th century

Dictionary Entries Near vision

Cite this Entry

“Vision.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vision. Accessed 19 Mar. 2024.

Kids Definition

vision

1 of 2 noun
vi·​sion ˈvizh-ən How to pronounce vision (audio)
1
a
: something seen in the mind (as during a dream)
b
: a vivid picture created by the imagination
c
: ghost
2
a
: the act or power of imagination
b
: unusual ability to think or plan ahead
people with vision building for the future
3
a
: the act or power of seeing : sight
b
: the sense by which the qualities of an object (as color, shape, and size) are perceived through a process in which light rays entering the eye are transformed into signals that pass to the brain
4
: something seen
especially : a lovely or charming sight

vision

2 of 2 verb
visioned; visioning ˈvizh-niŋ How to pronounce vision (audio)
-ə-niŋ
: imagine sense 1
couldn't vision it happening
Etymology

Noun

Middle English vision "something seen in a dream or trance," from early French vision (same meaning), from Latin vision-, visio (same meaning), derived from vidēre "to see" — related to clairvoyance, evident, provide, supervise, visit

Medical Definition

vision

noun
vi·​sion ˈvizh-ən How to pronounce vision (audio)
1
: the act or power of seeing : sight
2
: the special sense by which the qualities of an object (as color, luminosity, shape, and size) constituting its appearance are perceived through a process in which light rays entering the eye are transformed by the retina into electrical signals that are transmitted to the brain via the optic nerve

More from Merriam-Webster on vision

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