vista

1 of 2

noun

vis·​ta ˈvi-stə 

1

: a distant view through or along an avenue or opening : prospect

2

: an extensive mental view (as over a stretch of time or a series of events)

VISTA

2 of 2

abbreviation

Volunteers in Service to America

Did you know?

Vista is generally used today for broad sweeping views of the kind you might see from a mountaintop. But the word originally meant an avenue-like view, narrowed by a line of trees on either side. And vista has also long been used (like view and outlook) to mean a mental scan of the future—as if you were riding down a long grand avenue and what you could see a mile or so ahead of you was where you'd be in the very near future.

Synonyms

Noun

• command
• lookout
• outlook
• panorama
• perspective
• prospect
• view

Examples of vista in a Sentence

Noun

a gorgeous vista of the mountains from the front window

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The exhibit’s giant and colorful hybrid animal sculptures provide new vistas for garden regulars who have seen the tulips and water lilies a hundred times over and yearn for something fresh. —Ray Mark Rinaldi, The Denver Post, 3 June 2024

The Suites: Where Luxury Meets Excitement Experience the thrill of live racing from the exclusive comfort of The Suites, perched above the finish line with sweeping vistas of the track. —Branded Content Contributor, Orange County Register, 31 May 2024

There are plenty of hikes to take in the surrounding countryside, many of which offer epic vistas over the city (like Gediminas Hill), and don’t skip a visit to the Vilnius Cathedral or the secret St. James Church bell tower. —Olivia Morelli, Condé Nast Traveler, 20 May 2024

The island of Bali is popular among travelers seeking vistas of intricate temples against backdrops of crashing ocean waves or rolling hills with a volcano in the distance. —Elizabeth Rhodes, Travel + Leisure, 17 May 2024

Word History

Etymology

Noun

Italian, sight, from visto, past participle of vedere to see, from Latin vidēre — more at wit

First Known Use

Noun

1644, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Kids Definition

vista

noun

vis·​ta ˈvis-tə 

1

: a distant view through an opening or along an avenue : prospect

2

: a mental view over a long period of time

Geographical Definition

Vista

geographical name

Vis·​ta ˈvi-stə 

city in southwestern California north of San Diego population 93,834