visa

1 of 2

noun

vi·​sa ˈvē-zə 

also

-sə 

1

: an endorsement made on a passport by the proper authorities denoting that it has been examined and that the bearer may proceed

2

: a signature of formal approval by a superior upon a document

visa

2 of 2

verb

visaed ˈvē-zəd 

-səd

; visaing ˈvē-zə-iŋ 

-sə-

transitive verb

: to give a visa to (a passport)

Examples of visa in a Sentence

Recent Examples on the Web

Noun

The data revealed that the vast majority, 67%, have only civil immigration violations like overstaying visas or crossing the border illegally. —Sabrina Franza, CBS News, 16 Dec. 2025

Some Republicans have also pushed back against changes to visa programs for migrant laborers and in favor of more permanent status for recipients of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program. —Ximena Bustillo, NPR, 16 Dec. 2025

Verb

How will visa holders be affected? —Auzinea Bacon, CNN Money, 20 Sep. 2025

But experts said insufficient oversight has undermined the protections promised to visa holders. —Max Blau, ProPublica, 16 Sep. 2025

Word History

Etymology

Noun

French, from Latin, neuter plural of visus, past participle

First Known Use

Noun

1831, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb

circa 1847, in the meaning defined above

Phrases Containing visa

• exit visa
• transit visa

Rhymes for visa

• mycorrhiza

Kids Definition

visa

1 of 2 noun

vi·​sa ˈvē-zə 

also

-sə 

: a mark on a passport that is a sign of approval and permission for a traveler to go ahead

visa

2 of 2 verb

visaed -zəd 

-səd

; visaing -zə-iŋ 

-sə-

: to give a visa to

Legal Definition

visa

noun

vi·​sa ˈvē-zə, -sə 

: an endorsement made on a passport by the proper authorities denoting that it has been examined and that the bearer may proceed