blind spot

noun

plural blind spots

1

a

: the small circular area at the back of the retina where the optic nerve enters the eyeball and which is devoid of rods and cones and is not sensitive to light

called also optic disc

see eye illustration

b

: a portion of a field that cannot be seen or inspected with available equipment

2

sometimes offensive : an area in which someone fails to exercise judgment or discrimination see usage paragraph at blind entry 1

Examples of blind spot in a Sentence

When driving on the highway, you need to make sure no one is in your blind spot before changing lanes.

She has a blind spot concerning her son's behavior.

Recent Examples on the Web

But Singh said that any machine-learning tool using vast amounts of consumer data to make decisions may have blind spots or false positives. — Los Angeles Times, 1 July 2026

The strongest leaders know their own strengths, recognize their blind spots, and adapt their style to bring out the best in others. — Kate Wieczorek, Forbes.com, 1 July 2026

According to Zickerman, the dynamic often enables leaders to see blind spots and opportunities that may remain invisible in isolated decision cycles. — William Jones, USA Today, 30 June 2026

WhatsApp users will soon get the option of going by usernames instead of phone numbers, the company said Monday, announcing plans to address a privacy blind spot. — Kelvin Chan, Chicago Tribune, 29 June 2026

Word History

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Rhymes for blind spot

• allot
• barat
• begot
• besought
• bethought
• bloodshot
• boycott
• buckshot
• crackpot
• croat
• culottes
• dashpot

Kids Definition

blind spot

noun

1

a

: a point in the retina through which the optic nerve enters and which does not respond to light

b

: a part of an area that cannot be seen with available equipment

2

: an area of weakness (as in judgment)

Medical Definition

blind spot

noun

: the small circular area in the retina where the optic nerve enters the eye that is devoid of rods and cones and is insensitive to light

called also optic disc