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 However, this blind spot also represents a huge opportunity for the candidate who can offer non-union workers a seat at the table. Desirée Leclercq, Fortune, 28 Feb. 2024 But that loyalty from the fanbase is also creating some blind spots. Dieter Kurtenbach, The Mercury News, 27 Feb. 2024 Self-assessment is also valuable but is often biased by personal perceptions and blind spots. Robin Elledge, Forbes, 20 Feb. 2024 Richie agrees there’s a blind spot in their casting. Kimi Robinson, USA TODAY, 17 Feb. 2024 The skies over the rainforest are plagued with radio blind spots, requiring pilots to travel long distances without any contact with the ground. Longreads, 1 Feb. 2024 Those blind spots could hamper global conservation efforts, the researchers say. Justine Calma, The Verge, 3 Jan. 2024 The advanced safety items include: front and side curtain airbags, forward collision avoidance assist, lane keeping assist, lane following assist, driver attention warning, blind spot collision warning, rear cross traffic collision avoidance assist and safe exit warning. Tony Leopardo, The Mercury News, 3 Mar. 2024 But being naïve is also perhaps his strength, argues the director, who sees it as a way to stay open, let the magic of documentary filmmaking happen and sometimes uncover – as with this film – unexpected blind spots. Annika Pham, Variety, 1 Mar. 2024

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'blind spot.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

First Known Use

1829, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler
The first known use of blind spot was in 1829

Dictionary Entries Near blind spot

Cite this Entry

“Blind spot.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/blind%20spot. Accessed 28 Mar. 2024.

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

More from Merriam-Webster on blind spot

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