vis·i·ble
ˈvi-zə-bəl 
1
a
: capable of being seen
stars visible to the naked eye
b
: situated in the region of the electromagnetic spectrum perceptible to human vision
visible light
—used of radiation having a wavelength between about 400 nanometers and 700 nanometers
2
a
: exposed to view
the visible horizon
b(1)
: conspicuous
has played a highly visible role in the negotiations
(2)
: well-known
a highly visible politician
3
: capable of being discovered or perceived : recognizable
no visible means of support
4
: accessible sense 2
visible resources
5
: devised to keep a particular part or item always in full view or readily seen or referred to
a visible index
visibleness
noun
plural visibles
: a visible person or thing : someone or something that can be seen or perceived
He achieved important results in both these endeavors, which, being visible, have received ample notice as the visibles of history usually do …—
Barbara W. Tuchman
Barbara W. TuchmanExamples of visible in a Sentence
Adjective
The ship was not visible through the fog.
The ship was barely visible.
The patient showed no visible symptoms.
There was a visible change in his mood.
They played a highly visible role in the negotiations.
Recent Examples on the Web
Thomas Lim, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
The letter is publicly visible for the first time since its existence was first reported by The Wall Street Journal in mid-July.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2025
Smoldering will most likely continue within the fire perimeter which may lead to some visible smoke.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 11 Sep. 2025
The portion of the sky that was visible to me from my balcony and wasn't blocked by trees contained the constellation Pegasus.
—Harry Bennett, Space.com, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for visible
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Adjective
Using Causal Loop Diagrams to make visible the theories that shape organizational performance can allow teams to see how one department’s decisions ripple across the whole.
—Thomas Lim, Forbes.com, 11 Sep. 2025
The letter is publicly visible for the first time since its existence was first reported by The Wall Street Journal in mid-July.
—Holly Ellyatt, CNBC, 11 Sep. 2025
Smoldering will most likely continue within the fire perimeter which may lead to some visible smoke.
—Ca Wildfire Bot, Sacbee.com, 11 Sep. 2025
The portion of the sky that was visible to me from my balcony and wasn't blocked by trees contained the constellation Pegasus.
—Harry Bennett, Space.com, 11 Sep. 2025
See All Example Sentences for visible
Cite this Entry
“Visible.” Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/visible. Accessed 16 Sep. 2025.
Copy CitationKids Definition
visible
adjective
vis·i·ble
ˈviz-ə-bəl
1
: capable of being seen
stars visible to the naked eye
2
: easily seen or understood : obvious
no visible means of support
Medical Definition
visible
adjective
vis·i·ble
ˈviz-ə-bəl
1
: capable of being seen : perceptible to vision
particulates visible to the naked eye
2
: situated in the visible spectrum
visible light
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