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

Working through this with your team or with external advisors can reveal blind spots that would otherwise go unnoticed. —Veronica Angela, Forbes.com, 1 June 2026

Eufy Outdoor Security Camera Deal The EufyCam C37 kit delivers full perimeter protection using 360-degree AI pan-and-tilt tracking to eliminate blind spots around your property. —Juhi Wadia, PC Magazine, 1 June 2026

Always use your turn signals and check mirrors and blind spots before changing lanes. —Elissa Jorgensen, Dallas Morning News, 24 Mar. 2026

Eleven hours into this 15-hour shift, most of the attending’s best qualities — his pragmatic approach to medicine, his encouragement of young colleagues, his ability to roll with unexpected challenges — have curdled into huffy dismissiveness and defensive blind spots. —Roxana Hadadi, Vulture, 24 Mar. 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