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 of vista

Noun

• view
• panorama

Examples of vista in a Sentence

Noun

a gorgeous vista of the mountains from the front window

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

Southern-facing Turquoise Wing rooms offer scenic mountain vistas and overlook the wide expanse of the Rio Grande and glittering cottonwood trees, grounding the resort in its surroundings. — Condé Nast, Condé Nast Traveler, 13 July 2026

Its lawns, mature trees and lake-facing vistas feel deliberately composed, holding attention on the landscape before releasing it outward to the water. — Spencer Elliott, Forbes.com, 10 July 2026

The wagon trundles through gorgeous vistas before stopping at a river. — Kathryn Vanarendonk, Vulture, 10 July 2026

Outdoors, dual pergolas and skyline vistas anchor the rooftop terrace, while a wellness pavilion with a massage room, steam shower, and dry sauna sits near a lap pool that flows into an infinity-edge pool. — Demetrius Simms, Robb Report, 9 July 2026

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

Rhymes for vista

• crista
• arista
• artiste
• batiste
• sandinista

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