blind spot

noun

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

: an area in which one fails to exercise judgment or discrimination

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

Disney’s leading contenders have their own areas of expertise, as well as blind spots. —Meg James, Los Angeles Times, 4 Apr. 2024

Per the American Society of Retina Specialists, viewing the sun -- or even a laser -- without proper eye protection can cause direct damage to the retina leading to blurred vision, blind spots or distortion, and in some cases even permanent vision loss. —Kelsey Chapman, ABC News, 27 Mar. 2024

The policies governing it are capricious, filled with random benchmarks and major blind spots. —Elliot Haspel, The Atlantic, 20 Mar. 2024

The intense solar radiation emitted during an eclipse can harm the sensitive cells in the retina, leading to solar retinopathy, which can result in blurred vision, blind spots or even permanent blindness, according to Prevent Blindness.org. —The Arizona Republic, 8 Mar. 2024

Even more than most politicians, Biden refracts the world through the lens of the individual—through an accounting of people’s idiosyncrasies and biographies, their talents, flaws, and blind spots. —Evan Osnos, The New Yorker, 4 Mar. 2024

The market right now has a blind spot and is not capturing a critical concern among the public. —Clifford Young, Fortune, 8 Apr. 2024

Worrisome signs are instead blurry vision, headaches, light sensitivity, blind spots in the central vision, distorted vision and changes in color perception. —The Arizona Republic, 8 Apr. 2024

These are flawed people with their own weaknesses and blind spots, not pristine Hollywood creations. —Sam Farmer, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2024

Word History

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

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