vision

1 of 2

noun

vi·​sion ˈvi-zhən 

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 realities.

—Edith 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 

adjective

visionally adverb

vision

2 of 2

verb

visioned; visioning ˈvi-zhə-niŋ 

ˈvizh-niŋ

transitive verb

: envision

Synonyms of vision

Noun

• dream
• illusion
• daydream
• fantasy

Verb

• imagine
• envision
• dream
• see
• picture
• fantasy
• visualize

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

Her Couture-à-Porter vision is the perfect way to elevate the craftsmanship of denim. — Angela Velasquez, Footwear News, 6 July 2026

The company attributed its vision for Even G2 in part to Wang’s stint at Apple. — Jenny Lee,anniek Bao, CNBC, 6 July 2026

Verb

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

Word History

Etymology

Noun

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

First Known Use

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb

1796, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing vision

• beatific vision
• double vision
• dream vision
• field of vision
• line of vision
• night vision
• tunnel vision
• twenty-twenty vision
• vision board
• vision quest

Rhymes for vision

• frisian
• scission
• abscission
• collision
• decision
• derision
• division
• elision
• envision
• excision
• incision
• misprision

Kids Definition

vision

1 of 2 noun

vi·​sion ˈvizh-ən 

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 

-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 

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