Merriam-Webster Logo
SINCE 1828
dictionary thesaurus view recents

vista

noun
Save Word
vis·​ta | \ ˈvi-stə How to pronounce vista (audio) \

Definition of vista

 (Entry 1 of 3)

1 : a distant view through or along an avenue or opening : prospect
2 : an extensive mental view (as over a stretch of time or a series of events)

VISTA

abbreviation

Definition of VISTA (Entry 2 of 3)

Volunteers in Service to America

Vista

geographical name
Vis·​ta | \ ˈvi-stə How to pronounce Vista (audio) \

Definition of Vista (Entry 3 of 3)

city in southwestern California north of San Diego population 93,834
Synonyms Did You Know? Example Sentences Learn More about vista

Keep scrolling for more

Did You Know?

Vista is generally used today for broad sweeping views of the kind you might see from a mountaintop. But the word originally meant an avenue-like view, narrowed by a line of trees on either side. And vista has also long been used (like view and outlook) to mean a mental scan of the future—as if you were riding down a long grand avenue and what you could see a mile or so ahead of you was where you'd be in the very near future.

Examples of vista in a Sentence

Noun a gorgeous vista of the mountains from the front window
Recent Examples on the Web: Noun The final trudge to the crest pays off with sweeping 360-degree vistas that incorporate urban centers, farmlands and sprawling bedroom communities. — Mare Czinar, azcentral, "Get big views of downtown Phoenix on this less-used South Mountain hiking trail," 13 Nov. 2019 Modi says an end to an anti-India insurgency would boost tourism in Kashmir, known for its stunning mountain vistas, and encourage outside investment that would improve its economy. — Washington Post, "No Kashmiri flag, constitution under Indian-imposed changes," 1 Nov. 2019 Though the characters and storylines in the games couldn’t be more different, both titles revel in slow trips through wide-open empty spaces filled with beautiful vistas. — Kyle Orland, Ars Technica, "Death Stranding is Kojima unleashed, and it’s as weird as you’d expect," 1 Nov. 2019 Mountains, waterfalls, and vistas take on their true size. — Outside Online, "The Easy Way to Take Better Photos Outside," 5 Nov. 2019 On a recent tour, there were green mountain vistas just below the clouds and a stillness broken only by the soft patter of rain on leaves. — Washington Post, "At Fortitude Ranch, the cabin is for vacationing. The shelters are for surviving.," 9 Oct. 2019 Stunning rivers, serpentine trails and awe-inspiring vistas. — oregonlive, "Introducing Peak Northwest, The Oregonian’s newest travel video series," 25 Sep. 2019 This is actually my idea of beauty: This city has trained me to find this vista singularly beautiful. — David Canfield, EW.com, "Leslie Jamison talks life, love, and the beauty of earnestness," 19 Sep. 2019 Happily, there’s a way to see dramatic vistas without a hike that feels like a cardiac stress test: Pierce Stocking Scenic Drive, a seven-mile blacktop road that leads cars and cyclists through the wooded hills and towering dunes. — Lucinda Hahn, New York Times, "Sahara-Level Sand Dunes, Mediterranean-Blue Water: Welcome to Michigan," 4 Sep. 2019

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

See More

First Known Use of vista

Noun

1644, in the meaning defined at sense 1

History and Etymology for vista

Noun

Italian, sight, from visto, past participle of vedere to see, from Latin vidēre — more at wit

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about vista

Time Traveler for vista

Time Traveler

The first known use of vista was in 1644

See more words from the same year

Statistics for vista

Last Updated

26 Nov 2019

Cite this Entry

“Vista.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/vistas. Accessed 5 December 2019.

Keep scrolling for more

More Definitions for vista

vista

noun
How to pronounce Vista (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of vista

: a large and beautiful view of an area of land or water
: a large number of things that may be possible in the future

See the full definition for vista in the English Language Learners Dictionary

vista

noun
vis·​ta | \ ˈvi-stə How to pronounce vista (audio) \

Kids Definition of vista

: a large and scenic view in the distance a breathtaking mountain vista

Keep scrolling for more

More from Merriam-Webster on vista

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for vista

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with vista

Spanish Central: Translation of vista

Nglish: Translation of vista for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of vista for Arabic Speakers

Comments on vista

What made you want to look up vista? Please tell us where you read or heard it (including the quote, if possible).

Show Comments  Hide Comments 

WORD OF THE DAY

acquiesce

Listen to the pronounciation of acquiesce

to accept, comply, or submit

Get Word of the Day daily email!

Test Your Vocabulary

Semantic Drift Quiz

  • a twisty river
  • Which of the following was once a synonym for fun?
Spell It

Can you spell these 10 commonly misspelled words?

TAKE THE QUIZ
Syn City

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ
Love words? Need even more definitions?

Subscribe to America's largest dictionary and get thousands more definitions and advanced search—ad free!

Words at Play
Ask the Editors
Word Games