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

That level of perfectionism, or that pressure of perfectionism, left me with a lot of blind spots. — Declan Gallagher, Entertainment Weekly, 15 July 2026

The gender gap surprised many observers, and researchers pointed to a diagnostic blind spot as one likely explanation. — Samantha Agate, Kansas City Star, 14 July 2026

This helps reduce blind spots and improve monitoring during the training session. — Shirl Leigh july 13, New Atlas, 13 July 2026

According to a lawsuit, at least three other guards then rushed in, forced him into a blind spot, and pinned him face-first to a wall. — Christie Thompson, NPR, 13 July 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