see

verb

\ ˈsē

saw\ ˈsȯ

\; seen\ ˈsēn

\; seeing\ ˈsē-iŋ

Definition of see

(Entry 1 of 3)

transitive verb

1a : to perceive by the eye

b : to perceive or detect as if by sight

2a : to have experience of : undergo see army service

b : to come to know : discover

c : to be the setting or time of the last fifty years have seen a sweeping revolution in science— Barry Commoner

3a : to form a mental picture of : visualize can still see her as she was years ago

b : to perceive the meaning or importance of : understand

c : to be aware of : recognize sees only our faults

d : to imagine as a possibility : suppose couldn't see him as a crook

4a : examine, watch want to see how she handles the problem

b(1) : read

(2) : to read of

c : to attend as a spectator see a play

5a : to take care of : provide for had enough money to see us through

b : to make sure see that order is kept

6a : to regard as : judge

b : to prefer to have I'll see him hanged first I'll see you dead before I accept your terms

c : to find acceptable or attractive can't understand what he sees in her

7a : to call on : visit

b(1) : to keep company with especially in courtship or dating had been seeing each other for a year

(2) : to grant an interview to : receive the president will see you now

8 : accompany, escort see the guests to the door

9 : to meet (a bet) in poker or to equal the bet of (a player) : call

intransitive verb

1a : to give or pay attention

b : to look about

2a : to have the power of sight

b : to apprehend objects by sight

c : to perceive objects as if by sight

3a : to grasp something mentally

b : to acknowledge or consider something being pointed out see, I told you it would rain

4 : to make investigation or inquiry

see after

: to attend to : care for

see eye to eye

: to have a common viewpoint : agree

see red

: to become very angry

see the light

: to discover or realize a usually obscured truth

see the light of day

: to become publicly known or available (as through publication) manuscripts that will never see the light of day

see things

: hallucinate

see through

: to grasp the true nature of saw through the scheme

see to

: to attend to : care for

see

noun

Definition of see (Entry 2 of 3)

1a archaic : cathedra

b : a cathedral town

c : a seat of a bishop's office, power, or authority

2 : the authority or jurisdiction of a bishop

See

biographical name

\ ˈsē

Definition of See (Entry 3 of 3)

Thomas Jefferson Jackson 1866–1962 American astronomer and mathematician

Other Words from see Synonyms More Example Sentences Learn More about see

Keep scrolling for more

Examples of see in a Sentence

Verb

It was so dark that I couldn't see anything. I can't see a thing without my glasses. Would you turn on the light? I can hardly see a thing. Let me see what you're holding in your hand. I saw your sister at the party, but I didn't talk to her. I saw her take the money. Nobody saw the accident happen. He was last seen leaving his house yesterday morning. You have to see it to believe it. “He says he's coming.” “I'll believe it when I see it.”

Recent Examples on the Web: Verb

At Mexico’s El Castillo, among the Mayan ruins of Chichen Itza, even more assemble on the same date to see the sun make shadows that look like a snake slithering down the pyramid steps. — Jill Gleeson, Country Living, "What Exactly Is the Spring Equinox?," 19 Mar. 2019 Which means Congress may soon have a chance to see the final report — or at least, a summary of its findings — and learn once and for all what really happened and how deeply the president himself and others around him may have been involved. — Alex Ward, Vox, "These are the Trump associates who’ve pleaded guilty in the Mueller probe," 20 Feb. 2019 Legend has it that local fisherman liked to see the bright colors on their way into town, and the residents also use the bright paint to delineate where one property begins and ends. — Megan Barber, Curbed, "The 25 most colorful cities in the world," 19 Feb. 2019 Whereas Charles has been to all of them but Cuba—not surprising, given that he's been to 45 out of the 53 nations in the Commonwealth—Camilla will see many of these places for the first time. — Chloe Foussianes, Town & Country, "Prince Charles and Camilla Plan a Royal Tour of the Caribbean, Including a Historic Visit to Cuba," 15 Feb. 2019 And seeing you with our children, Ella and Alexander, is the greatest joy in my life. — Katherine J. Igoe, Marie Claire, "Amal Clooney Accepts UN Global Citizens Award," 6 Dec. 2018 So bundle up, get a cup of hot chocolate, and go see the holiday magic for yourself! — Elle Decor Editors, ELLE Decor, "Saks Fifth Avenue Serves Up Holiday Window Magic," 6 Dec. 2018 Of course, whenever these symptoms start affecting your daily life, go see a doctor. — Carolyn Twersky, Seventeen, "7 Period Symptoms That Are Totally Normal," 5 Dec. 2018 The tile floors are custom, made to evoke a pattern Ellis saw in Valencia, Spain. — Samantha Weiss Hills, Curbed, "“Every morning, I wake up and notice something new about it”," 3 Dec. 2018

Recent Examples on the Web: Noun

With just one or two weeks to discover a new place, there’s time to see the must-sees, try some great restaurants, and even discover a spot or two off the beaten path. — Nikhil Sonnad, Quartz, "To get the most out of your next trip, travel like a reporter," 6 July 2019 Scope out all your options by stage, date, time and genre, and make your own must-see lists. — Piet Levy, Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, "Not sure what to see at Summerfest 2019? Our interactive schedule offers picks and much more.," 6 June 2019 From Home sees Peter Parker (Holland) and his high school classmates trying to enjoy a European trip after everyone’s return post-Thanos snap, but the teen superhero’s plans are hijacked by a mission from Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson). — Nick Romano, EW.com, "Spider-Man: Far From Home," 24 June 2018 According to the company’s website, the pool will by 660-liters (around 174 gallons) and will feature a see-through bottom floor, which will allow hotel visitors to see the people swimming and the sky above. — Madison Roberts, PEOPLE.com, "The World's First 360-Degree Rooftop Infinity Pool Is Coming to London in 2020," 11 June 2019 Shop now: Forever21 Button Front Vest, $58.forever21.com See-Through Layers A great way to make your classic black crop go from day to night is to add a cool oversized see-through piece on top of it. — Alyssa Hardy, Teen Vogue, "How to Refresh Your Crop Top Looks for Spring," 12 Mar. 2019 Castel Sant'Angelo This imposing mausoleum and fortress right on the banks of the Tiber next to the Vatican is not often on the must-see lists of visitors to Rome. — Laura Itzkowitz, Condé Nast Traveler, "Rome's Art & Architecture: Our Guide," 5 Mar. 2018 Scroll through for all the essential must-sees (and -eats and -dos), like the futuristic park Gardens By the Bay. — Laura Dannen Redman, Condé Nast Traveler, "What to Do in Singapore: The (Mini) Black Book," 14 Nov. 2018 The museum's Cy Twombly Gallery, dedicated to the painter's epic multiple-panel works and sculptures, a site-specific Dan Flavin installation of fluorescent-light tubes, the Byzantine Fresco Chapel, and the Rothko Chapel are also must-sees. — Meredith Carey, Condé Nast Traveler, "What to Do in Houston in October 2018," 1 Oct. 2018

These example sentences are selected automatically from various online news sources to reflect current usage of the word 'see.' Views expressed in the examples do not represent the opinion of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback.