horizon

noun

ho·ri·zon hə-ˈrī-zᵊn

Synonyms of horizon next

: the line where the earth seems to meet the sky : the apparent junction of earth and sky

sailing toward the horizon

: the great circle on the celestial sphere formed by the intersection of the celestial sphere with a plane tangent to the earth's surface at an observer's position see azimuth illustration

: range of perception or experience

broaden your horizons

: something that might be attained

opening up new horizons in the field of cancer research

geology : a natural soil layer deposited at a particular time usually identified by distinctive fossils

geology : any of the reasonably distinct layers of soil or its underlying material in a vertical section of land

anthropology : a cultural area or level of development indicated by separated groups of artifacts

horizonal

hə-ˈrī-zᵊn-əl

adjective

Example Sentences

We sailed toward the horizon. The sun rose slowly over the eastern horizon. These discoveries have opened up new horizons in the field of cancer research.

Recent Examples on the Web The next piece of the puzzle is distribution, which insiders say must play a larger role in broadening Arab cinema’s horizons. —

Becky Lucas, The Hollywood Reporter, 17 May 2023 To see the northern lights, view them from a location with as unobstructed a view as possible along the northern horizon. —

Michael Salerno, The Arizona Republic, 16 May 2023 Read on to discover ways to spend quality time with the family while using music to broaden your child's horizons. —

Robin Soslow, Chron, 13 May 2023 Leisure-loving Venus is gliding into your 9th House of Travel, broadening your horizons. —

Tarot Astrologers, Chicago Tribune, 7 May 2023 And although many retailers may feel anxious about the prospect of going bankrupt, this is a chance for brands to expand their horizons and explore new markets. —

Naveen Jaggi, Forbes, 3 May 2023 By the early 1970s, Mr. Brathwaite’s love of music led him to expand his horizons to chronicling reggae, soul and pop, a photographic odyssey that lasted decades. —

Alex Williams, New York Times, 12 Apr. 2023 That long time horizon is another reason why UBS doesn’t foresee CRE spurring a 2008-style banking crash. —

Lance Lambert, Fortune, 7 Apr. 2023 As the closing music swells, Wayne’s character looks around at his kin — people who have other people to lean on — and then walks off toward the dusty West Texas horizon, lonesome and alone. —

Ted Anthony, Anchorage Daily News, 16 May 2023 See More

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

Word History

Etymology

Middle English orizon, from Late Latin horizont-, horizon, from Greek horizont-, horizōn, from present participle of horizein to bound, define, from horos boundary; perhaps akin to Latin urvum curved part of a plow

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Time Traveler

The first known use of horizon was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century